FX.co ★ Tablets growth losing steam to smartphones

According to a survey conducted by the International Data Corporation (IDC), the smartphones market continues to demonstrate solid growth this year. Meanwhile, outlook for tablets growth has been cut amid weak Q2 data.
IDC said that the smartphones market is expected to gain almost 24% this year. It anticipates over 1.25 billion smartphones to be shipped worldwide in 2014, representing a 23.8% increase from the 1.01 billion units shipped in 2013. The research firm also predicts that total volumes will reach 1.8 billion units in 2018. The key contribution is seen to be provided by emerging markets, which are projected to soar this year. Emerging markets have accounted for more than 50% annual smartphone shipments since 2011.