Global ICT Device Shipments to Reach 2.4 Bn. Units This Year: Gartner

Global shipments of ICT (information and communications technology)-based devices, including conventional PCs, tablets, ultramobile premiums (comprising 14-inch sub-laptops and tablets), and handsets, are forecast to total 2.4 billion units this year, for a 4.2% year-on-year (YoY) increase , according to Gartner Inc., a British market research firm.

Gartner also believes that global handset sales in 2014 will reach 1.9 billion units, up 3.1% YoY, mostly driven by smartphones, shipments of which have outnumbered other ICT devices since 2013. In 2018, smartphones are predicted to account for 88% of all handset shipments, up from 66% this year, thanks mostly to their steadily growing popularity.

In the area of PCs (including desktops and notebook models), Gartner forecasts that global shipments will decline 6.6% to 276 million units this year and then continue downward to 261 million units next year.

In the field of operating systems (OSs), Gartner says that Android will command 30% of the global market as the most popular OS this year with a 30% share, and that iOS will enjoy a 15% share. With the iPhone 6, which will attract customers with a larger screen than previous iPhones, to hit the shelves in the second half of this year, Gartner believes that the number of iOS users will gain steam in the years to come.

At the same time, Gartner expects that the Windows Phone will steadily gain strength and capture 10% of the global OS market in 2018, compared to only 4% this year. (SC)

Global Shipment Forecast for ICT Devices
Category	2013	2014	2015
PCs (desktops and laptops)	296.131 M. Units	276.221 M. Units	261.657 M Units.
Ultramobile Premiums	21.517 M Units	32.215 M Units	55.032 M Units
Total PC Shipments	317.648 M Units	308.472 M Units	316.689 M Units
Tablets	206.807 M Units	256.308 M Units	320.964 M Units
Handsets	1,806.964 M Units	1,862.766 M Units	1,964.456 M Units
Other Ultramobiles	2.981 M Units	5.381 M Units	7.645 M Units
Total	2,334.400 M Units	2,432.927 M Units	2,591.753 M Units

Source: Gartner Inc.