IDC: Global smartphone shipments to grow by 1.5% driven by outstanding demand for iPhone 17 series | Infinium-tech

A total of 1.25 billion smartphones will be shipped in 2025, which represents an increase of 1.5% compared to 2024 figures. The latest International Data Corporation (IDC) report reflects an updated forecast that is reportedly inspired by Apple’s continued success with the iPhone 17 series.

Cupertino is now projected to ship more than 247 million iPhone 17 series units in 2025, driven by favorable demand factors such as growing demand in emerging markets and China, as well as accelerated demand in the holiday quarter.

According to IDC’s China monthly sales data, strong demand for the iPhone 17 helped Apple regain the top spot in consecutive months of October and November. Better-than-expected iPhone 17 demand helped iOS overtake Android and HarmonyOS in terms of annual growth.

The performance also helped revise down Apple’s projected 1% decline for 2025 smartphone shipments in China to a 3% growth figure. And it’s not just China, figures indicate similar performance across the US and Western Europe.

But now everything has fallen apart as IDC predicts a 1% decline in shipments for 2026, mainly due to rising memory component costs, which is projected to increase the average smartphone selling price to $465. In addition, the rumor of Apple’s revised launch schedule for the base iPhone 18 from fall 2026 to early 2027 will also have a negative impact on the entire market’s preliminary 2026 figures, leading to a 1% decline in shipments.

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