IHS Sees Global Smartphone Installed Base Exceeding 6 Billion Devices by 2020

IHS Markit sees the global smartphone installed base growing to more than 6 billion devices in use by 2020, from 4 billion in 2016, the research firm reported Wednesday. “Mobile innovations, new business models and mobile technologies are transforming every adjacent market as the mobile industry diversifies from the maturing smartphone market.” Globally, smartphones and tablets account for more than 60 percent of smart connected consumer devices, up from about 17 percent in 2008, it said. “Smart mobile devices will rapidly become universally adopted throughout the world, enabling innovative smart services, which will transform emerging economies,” it said. “Mobile devices and services are now the hub for people’s entertainment and business lives, as well as for communication. The smartphone has replaced the PC as the most important smart connected device.”