Global smartphone sales in the first quarter of 2016 grew by six percent year on year, mainly driven by China's growing demands, German market research group GfK reported on Thursday.
According to the report, a total of 337.2 million smartphones have been sold in the first three months worldwide, up by six percent. In China, a total of 109.2 million smartphones have been delivered to customers, representing a rise of 19 percent compared to the same period in 2015.
The report noted that this is the strongest year-on-year growth in demand in two years in China. Total smartphone demand in China will be 411.5 million units in 2016, rising by seven percent year on year.
"Quarter one shows smartphone growth continues. However, we are seeing a slowdown in growth rates when we compare year-on-year performance. As a result, we have downgraded our 2016 growth forecast to five percent year-on-year," Kevin Walsh, director of trends and forecasting at GfK, said.
"Operators and manufacturers are responding with a variety of strategies in the different regions, such as increased marketing activity and subsidies," Walsh commented. GfK forecasts end-demand consumer purchases.
Its monthly-released German consumers climate survey is considered as an important indicator.
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