The smartphone market is expected to stagnate as sales grow at a slower pace in major western territories. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule such as India where the introduction of affordable handsets increases the ownership rate by a significant margin. However, it can be argued that smartphone users are less likely to upgrade considering the capabilities of their current handsets. According to data acquired by USA Today, Apple’s stock value dropped by over $160 billion and showcases the challenges in the smartphone market. Here we can see the effects of this downturn and some critics have argued this trend will continue in the near future:
Apple could become a victim of its own success, as it’s extraordinarily difficult to keep increasing sales figures while being at the top. It’s plausible for a downturn to occur as consumers become content with the current offerings or simply look for alternatives. In an era where there’s powerful yet affordable smartphones out there, it’s possible that the iPhone’s price might alienate a section of the market. On the other hand, Apple’s recent iPhone launch set new sales records and did remarkably well. Currently, the smartphone decline appears to be a result of the Chinese market not posting the kind of sales figures many companies hoped for.
