Market research institution IDC stated that the global smart phone shipments in 2024 are expected to increase by 6.2% to reach 1.24 billion units. However, iPhone sales may only increase by 0.4%. The latest research highlights the uneven recovery of the smart phone market. IDC indicates that most of the growth in 2024 comes from pent-up demand and regions with lower smartphone penetration rates. Affordable devices produced by Android manufacturers have helped Chinese brands seize this opportunity better, but Apple's performance is expected to improve next year. Globally, smart phone shipments have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, and IDC predicts that growth in the coming years will not exceed single digits. Extended upgrade cycles, market saturation in developed economies, and the rapid growth of the second-hand smart phone trade are seen as the main factors causing the stagnation.