Android and iOS Phones Declining in 2023

Weak demand and a slower-than-expected global market recovery are pushing mobile phones into a decline, with no recovery expected until 2024, according to a new forecast by market research firm IDC.

The previous forecast called for growth in mobile phones of 2.8% this year. However, IDC has revised that forecast to –1.1%, representing 1.19 billion units shipped worldwide.

According to IDC: "Real market recovery is not expected to occur until 2024, when IDC expects 5.9% year-over-year growth followed by low single-digit growth leading to a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.6%."

"With increasing costs and ongoing challenges in consumer demand, OEMs are quite cautious about 2023. While there is finally some good news coming out of China with the recent reopening, there is still a lot of uncertainty and lack of trust, which results in a cautious outlook," said Nabila Popal research director with IDC's Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers. "However, we remain convinced the global market will return to growth in 2024 once we are past these short-term challenges as there is a significant pent up refresh cycle in developed markets as well as room for smartphone penetration in emerging markets to fuel stable long-term growth."

Android remains the dominant OS worldwide and will also see more decline this year than Apple's iOS, although, longer-term, it will also see greater growth than iOS. IDC is forecasting shipments of 967.7 million Android phones in 2023, down 1.2% from 2022. The five-year annual compound growth rate for Android is forecast at 2.8%, with shipments of 1.123 billion units in 2027.

Apple's iOS will see 225 million unit shipments in 2023, down 0.5% from 2022. The five-year CAGR for iOS is forecast at 1.8%, with 247.7 million units expected to ship in 2027.

IDC also noted that the average selling price for smartphones will begin to decline this year and continue to decline through 2027. In 2022, the average selling price was $415. That will decline to $376 by 2027.

Further details can be found in IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • teacher and children working with a LEGO Education Science kit

    LEGO Education Debuts Science Kits for Hands-on Learning

    LEGO Education has announced a new learning solution to engage students in hands-on science learning. Available in three kits by grade band, LEGO Education Science provides 120-plus standards-aligned science lessons, teacher materials, and select LEGO bricks and hardware.

  • school building split in half, with one side collapsing into a dark hole

    Office of Educational Technology, National Center for Education Statistics Fall Victim to ED Cuts

    The U.S. Department of Education has announced cuts of nearly half of its staff, numbering more than 1,300 workers, according to AP reporting. While official details on the cuts are not available, early commentary on LinkedIn has revealed drastic cuts in the areas of educational technology and data.

  • Two digital hands made of interconnected lines and nodes shaking hands firmly against a minimal technological background

    IBM to Acquire AI and Data Solutions Provider DataStax

    IBM has announced the planned acquisition AI and data solutions provider DataStax, in a move aimed at enhancing its watsonx portfolio and advancing generative artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities for enterprises.

  • zSpace Imagine Learning Solution

    zSpace Debuts Headset-Free AR/VR System

    Immersive learning company zSpace has announced the zSpace Imagine Learning Solution, a headset-free AR/VR laptop system designed for elementary education. The all-in-one platform integrates hardware, software, and hands-on lessons to create dynamic learning experiences for young students.