Synopsis
According to a recent report, Android smartphones are anticipated to outpace iOS with a remarkable 40% growth this year, while overall smartphone shipments are set to rise modestly.Key Takeaways
- Android smartphones expected to grow 40% faster than iOS.
- Global smartphone shipments forecasted to reach 1.26 billion units in 2025.
- iOS to experience a decline in China but growth in the U.S. and emerging markets.
- Average selling prices for Apple anticipated to remain elevated.
- U.S. smartphone market projected to grow despite new tariffs.
New Delhi, Feb 26 (NationPress) Android smartphones are projected to experience a remarkable 40% growth rate compared to iOS this year, showing a 2.5% year-on-year increase, according to a recent report.
Globally, smartphone shipments are anticipated to rise by 2.3% year-over-year in 2025, reaching 1.26 billion units, as per the International Data Corporation (IDC)'s ‘Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker’.
This 2.3% growth marks the second consecutive year of improvement following a 6.1% rise in 2024.
In China, iOS is expected to see a 1.9% decline this year due to persisting challenges. However, on a global scale, it is forecasted to grow by 1.8% due to robust demand in the U.S., which is Apple's largest market, in addition to rapid growth of 18% and 9% year-over-year in emerging markets such as India and Indonesia, stated Nabila Popal, senior research director at IDC.
The ongoing deployment of Apple Intelligence and the introduction of the mid-range iPhone 16E are also anticipated to bolster demand, maintaining elevated average selling prices (ASPs) for Apple. This will enable it to capture 45% value share in 2025, despite accounting for only 19% of shipments, Popal added.
The smartphone market in the U.S. is expected to expand by 3.3% in 2025, even amidst the recently imposed 10% tariffs on imports from China, including smartphones.
“An aging installed base ready for renewal will positively impact shipments throughout the year. While new tariffs may slightly raise the average selling prices, most consumers in the U.S. tend to purchase smartphones through installment plans, often in conjunction with trade-ins via telecom channels,” explained Anthony Scarsella, research director at IDC.
Consequently, any increase in average selling price (ASP) in the U.S. is unlikely to significantly influence purchase decisions for the majority of consumers.
The global smartphone ASP is projected to experience a modest increase to $434 in 2025, despite the surge of low-end Androids this year, due to the ongoing premiumization on the high end, as noted in the report.
