According to Gartner, the worldwide shipment of devices (comprising PCs, tablets, ultramobiles and mobile phones) are projected to reach 2.5 billion units in 2014, witnessing a growth of 7.6 per cent over 2013. Further, Android is expected to continue leading the operating system market with one billion users across all devices in 2014. By 2017, emerging markets will account for more than 75 per cent of Android-based devices.
The research firm states that the device market continues to evolve, with end-customers deciding the combination of devices required to meet their needs. Mobile phones are a must have and will continue to grow but at a slower pace, with opportunities moving away from top-end premium devices to mid-end basic products. Meanwhile, users continue to move away from the traditional PC (notebooks and desk-based) as it becomes more of a shared content creation tool, while the greater flexibility offered by devices such as tablets, hybrids and lighter notebooks is helping users? address their various work requirements.
Gartner forecasts that mobile phones are expected to dominate overall device shipments, with 1.9 billion mobile phones expected to be shipped in 2014, witnessing a growth of five per cent over 2013. Increasing demand for ultramobiles, which include tablets, hybrids and clamshells, will drive growth in the devices market in 2014. Moreover, complimentary smaller tablets will take over from the larger tablet form factors, providing the added mobility that consumers desire at a lower cost and will compete with hybrids for consumer attention.
In 2014, the worldwide tablet market is forecast to grow by 47 per cent with lower average selling prices attracting new users. Consumers continue to buy tablets as an additional device that they carry everywhere. According to a recent consumer study that Gartner conducted in the third quarter of 2013 across Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, the U.K., the US and Japan, over two-thirds of tablets were used outside the home. This is a similar pattern to that of smartphones as smaller form factors are driving more portability outside the home.
As per the research firm, the worldwide shipments of traditional PCs are forecastv to reach 278 million units in 2014, winessing a seven per cent decline over 2013. Driven by an uptake in Windows ultramobiles, the PC market is estimated to witness flat growth in 2014 having registered a decline of 9.9 per cent in 2013. The Gartner consumer survey indicates that less than eight per cent of users would replace their laptop with a tablet, while 16 per cent of the customers are willing to move to an ultrabook.
