Q4 Smartphone Unit Demand in North America Highest in 2 Years, Says GfK

Global smartphone average selling prices (ASPs) had record year-on-year growth in Q4, and in North America, the 6 percent unit-sales growth Q4 to 6.2 million phones was the highest in two years, GfK reported Wednesday. North American smartphone unit sales jumped 2 percent for all of 2017, to 201.3 million phones, but the “upturn” isn't expected to last into 2018, it said. GfK forecasts demand in North America to be flat in 2018 compared with 2017, it said. Smartphone year-on-year demand growth globally “moderated” for the fourth straight quarter, rising only 1 percent to 397 million units in Q4, it said. However, ASPs jumped by 11 percent year-on-year in the quarter, “which is exceptional growth for such a mature technology category,” it said. “This came as the proliferation of smartphones with larger and bezel-less displays incentivized consumers to purchase more expensive devices.”