Global Q2 Smartphone Shipments Plunged 16%, IDC Finds

Worldwide smartphone shipments plunged 16% year over year in Q2 to 278.4 million, said IDC Thursday. The “huge” decline was due to a “massive reduction” in consumer spending due to the COVID-19-led global economic crisis, store closures and rising unemployment, said research director Nabila Popal. Phones also competed with other technologies consumers needed during lockdown periods, including PCs, monitors and tablets, she said. With the U.S. down 12.6%, China “fared slightly better” with a 10.3% drop, which “arguably shows some early signs of market recovery,” said analyst Ryan Reith. OEMs are moving more aggressively with 5G portfolios, but consumer demand for 5G is still low, he said.