- February 07, 2020
according to IDC, worldwide smartphone shipment was 368.8mn units in 4Q19, down 1.2% YoY. The overall decline was partly due to weak shipment growth in China last quarter, where consumers may be waiting for cheaper 5G smartphone to hit market. In January this year, Redmi K30 5G, the most affordable 5G smartphone with starting price less than RMB2,000, has been launched for sale. Very competitive prices offered by manufacturers may accelerate penetration of 5G smartphone, and the smartphone sector is without doubt entering a new round of cycle fueled by 5G, in our view. However, overall, the growth of global smartphone shipment still faces challenges ahead this year. Recently unfolding public health situation in China may cause China’s shipment to continue to decline; on the other hand, it may also bring some uncertainties to the global smartphone supply chain.
