According to Gartner, personal computer (PC), tablet and smartphone shipments stood at 1.15 billion in the Asia Pacific region in 2014. Further, increasing demand for affordable smartphones particularly in emerging markets such as India and China, is expected to drive shipment of these devices in the Asia Pacific region by 3.2 per cent to 1.19 billion units in 2015.
The research firm has noted that the increase in device shipments is being driven by 4.1 per cent growth in the mobile phone segment with cheaper priced smartphones stimulating replacements. Interestingly, Chinese vendors are aiming to grow in other emerging Asian markets as their home market is approaching saturation point. However, local currency depreciation against the dollar is deterring Chinese firms from reducing smartphone prices to reach wider segments.
As per Gartner, mobile phone shipments are expected to grow from 987.72 million in 2014 to 1.02 billion this year and further to 1.11 billion by 2017. Meanwhile, the computing devices segment (PCs, tablets, clamshells) is forecast to decline by 1.9 per cent from 170.4 million units in 2014 to 167.25 million units, on account of low demand for tablets. Market saturation along with consumers extending the lifetime of their tablets is resulting in re-calibration in the growth trajectory in the market. However, from 2016 onwards, the Gartner expects the tablet market to resume growth from a stabilised base.
Going forward, the research firm forecasts the PC market to grow marginally to reach 170.9 million units by 2017, with shipments in the premium ultramobile category expected to compensate for a decline in sales of traditional desk-based and notebook PCs.
