Worldwide smartphone shipments are expected to decline by 3% this year before returning to low single-digit growth next year through 2022, according to the latest study from IDC. Shipments fell in the third quarter by 6%. IDC said it sees a return to growth going forward based on continuing developments from emerging markets, the potential surrounding 5G and new product form factors.

For 2018, smartphone shipments should fall to 1.42bn units from 1.47bn the year before. Shipments will then rise 2.6% year-on-year in 2019. Over the long term, shipments are expected to reach 1.57bn units in 2022.

All major manufacturers have built out their portfolios with bigger screens and higher-end smartphones. In Q3, the 6-7inch screen became the most prominent band for the first time with more than four times year-on-year growth. IDC believes that larger-screen smartphones (5.5 inches and above) will for the full year lead the charge with volumes at 947.1m, and a market share of 66.7 per cent among all smartphones, up from 623.3m units and 42.5% share in 2017. By 2022, shipments of these larger-screen smartphones will move up to 1.38bn units and 87.7% of overall shipment volume.