Electronic devices are estimated to reach 2.5 billion units this year

Gartner released the latest forecast that global electronic devices, including PCs, tablets, ultra-thin laptops and smartphones, will ship an estimated 2.5 billion units this year, an increase of 2.8% from last year. Among them, computer-related information products (including PCs and thin-and-light laptops) Notebooks), shipments are estimated to reach 307 million units, down 2.4% from last year. Traditional PC shipments continue to decrease, but shipments of high-end ultra-thin laptops are estimated to reach 50 million units, an annual increase of 45.6%, with the strongest growth potential. In general, ultra-thin laptops and tablets, as well as smart phones, still maintain a growth trend this year, but the ranges are in the single-digit range.

Gartner pointed out that the purchasing power of PCs has continued to decline this year, mainly due to the depreciation of the Euro in Europe. Manufacturers have to increase their prices to maintain profits, which will affect local sales. It is expected that the buying of commercial models will be delayed as a result, as will general consumer models. Turning to wait-and-see, but Gartner believes that the decline in purchasing power is due to the exchange rate affecting manufacturers' price increases, not the decline in market demand.

In the smart phone market, Gartner is optimistic that it is still the largest and most profitable market in the market. It is estimated that the total market will reach 1.9 billion units this year, an increase of 3.5% from last year. In recent years, mobile phones have used low unit prices to attract consumers, but mobile phone manufacturers have worked hard. The increase in the average unit price of products is only due to the slowdown in the growth of the mobile phone market, so it is estimated that the average unit price (ASP) will remain flat or decline slightly.

For this year, Gartner estimates that traditional PC shipments are estimated to reach 250 million units, down 9% from last year, while high-end thin and light notebook shipments are estimated to reach 53.45 million units, an increase of 45.6% from last year. It is estimated that it will reach 307 million units, a year-on-year decrease of 2.4%.

The shipments of general ultra-thin laptops and tablet devices are estimated to reach 236 million units, an annual increase of 3.96%. Adding traditional PC shipments, the total volume reaches 543 million units, a slight increase from 540 million units in 2014.

In the smart phone market, shipments this year are estimated to reach 1.94 billion units, an increase of 3.3% compared to last year. The performance is still stable. The total electronic device market is estimated to reach 2.48 billion units, an annual increase of 2.8%.

Gartner said that after experiencing rapid growth in recent years, the tablet market has gradually become saturated, coupled with competition from large-size mobile phones and two-in-one devices, growth momentum continues to face pressure. Gartner believes that high-end Android system users are constantly moving to iOS System tablet mobile, Android system tablet suppliers are difficult to find differentiation to provide users.

Gatner also believes that although Apple’s price is relatively high, its tablet replacement cycle will occur in the fourth quarter.