Smartphone market growth to slow in 2016: data

The global shipment of smartphones is anticipated to suffer a setback in 2016, industry data showed Thursday, with Chinese handset makers expected to further cement their foothold in the mid- to low-end smartphone segment.

According to the data compiled by industry tracker TrendForce, the combined sales of smartphones for next year are estimated at 1.34 billion units, up 5.8 percent from 2015. The market is estimated to grow 8.3 percent this year.

TrendForce said this year "marks the end of the smartphone boom that began with the launch of the iPhone in 2007," with the smartphone market landing in the so-called plateau period.

U.S. giant Apple Inc., which recently showcased the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus, also lack "fresh looks" compared to other devices launched by rivals such as Samsung Electronics Co., the tracker said.

Accordingly, TrendForce said Apple's shipments are expected to grow 7.5 percent, compared to an estimated 16 percent growth for this year.

Amid the slowing growth in the global smartphone market, Chinese players are still expected to maintain robust growth and possibly beat existing smaller players such as Microsoft Corp. or Sony Corp.

Chinese players are anticipated to post 10 percent on-year growth in smartphone sales at 576 million units. Seven out of 10 major global smartphone makers were Chinese in the second quarter, TrendForce added. (Yonhap)