Global smartphone sales plummeted 16 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report.
Nearly 278.4 million smartphones were sold in three months to June 30, more than 53 million less than the same period last year, as major economies around the globe followed lockdown restrictions during the period, said researcher International data Corporation in its latest report.
"Smartphones shipments suffered a huge decline in second quarter as they directly correlate to consumer spending, which had a massive reduction due to the global economic crisis and rising unemployment brought on by the widespread lockdowns," said Nabila Popal, research director at IDC.
From a regional perspective, Asia-Pacific (excluding China and Japan), Western Europe and the US declined 31.9 per cent, 14.8 per cent and 12.6 per cent, respectively.
"The closure of retail stores, especially in regions where online shopping is less common, compounded the negative effect on smartphone sales,” said Ms Popal.
Despite its sales falling nearly 5.1 per cent annually in the second quarter, Chinese brand Huawei for the first time reached the number one position with 20 per cent market share. It shipped 55.8 million smartphones during the period.
This was driven by Huawei's tremendous growth in China – almost 10 per cent year-on-year – which offset the large declines the company faced in every other region, said Massachusetts-based IDC, adding, “The US technology ban will continue to create uncertainty for Huawei in foreign markets.
Samsung trailed Huawei with a 19.5 per cent market share and Apple retaining 13.5 per cent.
South Korean tech giant, which shipped 54.2 million smartphones in three months, suffered a 28.9 per cent year-on-year decline, the most significant among the top five vendors.
While the budget-friendly A series performed well during the quarter, the premium devices such the Galaxy S20 and the Galaxy Z Flip, launched in the peak of the pandemic, are facing sales challenges despite price reductions.
Apple, which faced supply constraints and store closures in the second quarter, was the only brand that saw a positive rise in market share during the period. It sold 37.6 million iPhones, 3.8 million more than the same period last year.
"The smartphone supply chain ground to a halt when the pandemic hit. However, recovery, specifically in China, has been strong," said Ryan Reith, vice president, IDC.
"The question now becomes what does demand look like with so much uncertainty around the world. We have already seen manufacturers moving more aggressively with their 5G portfolios both in terms of production and price points,” added Mr Reith.
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
Brave CF 27 fight card
Welterweight:
Abdoul Abdouraguimov (champion, FRA) v Jarrah Al Selawe (JOR)
Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (TUN) v Alex Martinez (CAN)
Welterweight:
Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA) v Khamzat Chimaev (SWE)
Middleweight:
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Rustam Chsiev (RUS)
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) v Christofer Silva (BRA)
Super lightweight:
Alex Nacfur (BRA) v Dwight Brooks (USA)
Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) v Tariq Ismail (CAN)
Chris Corton (PHI) v Zia Mashwani (PAK)
Featherweight:
Sulaiman (KUW) v Abdullatip (RUS)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) v Mohammad Al Katib (JOR)
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The Farewell
Director: Lulu Wang
Stars: Awkwafina, Zhao Shuzhen, Diana Lin, Tzi Ma
Four stars
6 UNDERGROUND
Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco
2.5 / 5 stars
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
