IDC: Smartphone growth to slow down this year

After topping 1 billion shipments for the first time ever, the smartphone market will start to cool this year, says a forecast from research group IDC.

Global smartphone shipments are expected to slow down to the single digits, growing by 8% in 2017, predicts IDC. Ryan Reith, IDC's Program Director says this year will mark a transition period for the smartphone space, as emerging markets fuel growth in the coming years.

"Not only will growth decline more than ever before, but the driving forces behind smartphone adoption are changing," says Reith in a statement. "New markets for growth bring different rules to play by and 'premium' will not be a major factor in the regions driving overall market growth."

Google's Android operating system will maintain its tight grip on global smartphone shipments, with a 76% share in 2018, says IDC. Apple's iOS -- which runs the iPhone and iPad -- will command 14%. IDC forecasts Microsoft's Windows Phone platform will grow the fastest, nearly doubling its market share from this year to 2018.

The transition in the smartphone space could also mean declining prices on the popular devices. IDC predicts the average price for a smartphone will drop by 2018 so companies can "reach the untapped demand within emerging markets," says IDC's Ramon Llamas.

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