Global smartphone sales on the rise

Travel and tourism concept. Booking hotel by smartphone and destination signboard. 3d

Worldwide sales of smartphones continue to rise, according to GfK's figures from the fourth trimester of 2015, with 368 million devices sold.  

In 2015, more than 1.3 billion smartphones were sold, making for a 7% increase compared to 2014. Sales were 14% higher compared to the same trimester of last year.  

Developing markets in Asia offered smartphone sales the biggest push, with a 21% increase in sales in the 4th trimester. India proved itself to be an essential player in global sales, accounting for an annual increase of 34%, while China sold one smartphone for every two sold around the world. 

In the Middle East and Africa, sales increased by 12% in the 4th trimester, while Latin America saw a loss of 13% compared to the previous year. Western Europe pulled in a meagre 5% more sales.  

Market research firm GfK is predicting a 7% increase in smartphone sales by the end of 2016. — AFP Relaxnews