Technology research firm Gartner has forecast sales of mobile phones and ultramobiles will underpin growth in the Asia Pacific devices market in 2015, with device penetration at or beyond saturation point in mature markets.Combined shipments of devices (PCs, tablets, ultramobiles and mobile phones) will total 1.2 billion units in 2015, a 3.2 per cent increase year-on-year, according to the Gartner forecast.
The mobile phone market is forecast to record 4.1 per cent growth, totalling 1.03 billion units, with Gartner stating cheaper-priced smartphones will stimulate replacements, especially in emerging markets.
“Chinese vendors are aiming to grow in emerging Asian markets for their expansion plans outside China as the local market is approaching saturation point,” commented Gartner principal analyst CK Lu.
“However, local currency depreciation against the dollar is deterring Chinese handset makers from pushing down smartphone prices to reach wider segments,” Lu added. “This could limit their growth in 2015.”
Weak demand for tablets will impact the computing devices market, which is forecast to record a 1.9 per cent decline, totalling 167.26 million units, while the PC market will continue to grow slightly, reaching 104.44 million units, with premium ultramobile shipments to compensate for a decline in sales of traditional desk-based and notebook PCs.
“Device penetration is very high in Asia Pacific – at or beyond saturation point in mature markets and major cities in the emerging markets,” commented Gartner principal analyst Lillian Tay.
“Market saturation, along with consumers extending the lifetime of their tablets, has caused a recalibration in the growth trajectory in the market. From 2016, we expect the tablet market to resume growth from a stabilised base.”
Through to 2017, Gartner has forecast the devices market will grow to 1.28 billion units.
