IDC reports global smartphone shipments are down by -11.7% Y-o-Y to 275.8 million units in Q1 2020-- the largest annual decline ever according to the analyst, and one brought about by, of course, the coronavirus pandemic.
The pandemic lead to the peak of lockdowns in China in Q1 2020, before such measures extended to the rest of the world. As such, it should come to no surprise China sees the largest regional decline of the quarter, with shipments falling by -20.3% Y-o-Y. China makes nearly 25% of global smartphone shipments, meaning it has huge impact on the overall market. Global smartphone supply also depends on China, leading to major issues as the quarter progressed. Other regions contributing to the "drastic" global decline are W. Europe and the US, with respective shipments dropping by -18.3% and 16.1% Y-o-Y.
