Global Smartphone Demand Peaks Alongside a Leap in Average Sales Price in 2Q17, Says GfK Survey

NUREMBERG, Germany, July 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

• Smartphone demand of 347 million units makes 2Q17 the best second quarter on record
• Emerging markets are driving the growth
• Average sales price (ASP) grew five percent year-on-year in the quarter

Global smartphone demand totaled 347 million units in 2Q17, up four percent year-on-year. This makes it the strongest second quarter on record. Emerging Asia led the demand growth with a 13 percent year-on-year increase, followed by Central and Eastern Europe at 11 percent, and Latin America at 10 percent. Market value grew nine percent year-on-year, due to rising average sales price (ASP). 

   
    Smartphone sales 2Q 2017 vs. 2Q 2016
                                       Units sold (in million)
                                    2Q17         2Q16     Y/Y % change
    Western Europe                  28.7         29.8         -4%
    Central and Eastern Europe      18.7         16.8         11%
    North America                   47.4         44.6          6%
    Latin America                    27          24.6         10%
    Middle East & Africa            42.2         41.6          1%
    China                          110.1        109.7          0%
    Developed Asia                  16.1         16.6         -3%
    Emerging Asia                   56.7           50         13%
    Global                         346.9        333.7          4%

                                       Sales value (in billion USD)
                                    2Q17         2Q16     Y/Y % change
    Western Europe                  12.1         12.2         -1%
    Central and Eastern Europe       4.6          3.7         24%
    North America                   18.7         16.2         15%
    Latin America                    8.5          7.5         13%
    Middle East & Africa             9.9         10.7         -7%
    China                           35.1         32.4          8%
    Developed Asia                    10          9.4          6%
    Emerging Asia                   10.3          7.9         30%
    Global                         109.2        100.0          9%
    Source: GfK Point of Sales (POS) Measurement data in 75+ markets, monthly data to the end of May
    2017, plus weekly data to 24 June 2017. Percentages are rounded.

Arndt Polifke, global director of telecom research at GfK, comments, "The record demand for smartphones in the second quarter this year shows that, despite saturation in some markets, the desire to own a smartphone is a worldwide phenomenon. How that manifests itself differs widely by region. Manufacturers are maximizing all their creativity to ensure their latest devices are irresistible - and to increase ASP as a result. Elsewhere, macroeconomic factors and consumer confidence are having an impact, but operators and retailers are employing localized tactics to ensure the smartphone remains the connected device of choice."