• by Chuck Martin , August 29, 2018

After a decline in 2018, worldwide shipments of smartphones will grow slightly from 2019 through the end of 2022, according to a new forecast by International Data Corp (IDC).

While smartphone shipments will decline 1% to 1.4 billion units this year, overall shipments will reach 1.6 billion devices in 2022, for overall annual growth of 2% a year, according to IDC.

Larger screen sizes (5.5 inches and larger) will lead the growth, accounting for 65% of all smartphones and by 2022 shipments of larger screen phones will account for 85% of overall shipment volume.

"With two out of three new iPhones expected to be larger than six inches, Apple will not be left behind in the 2018 race for increased screen real estate," stated Melissa Chau, associate research director with IDC's worldwide quarterly mobile device trackers. "You could say the term 'phablet' is becoming less relevant now that most smartphones will ship with larger screens, and when folding screens start coming into play in the medium term, this screen trend will evolve in new directions."

Android leads, with 85% market share through 2022 with Apple global market share at 15% this year through 2022.