Slowing smartphone sales have 2023 on track to be the lowest-selling year in a decade for iPhones, Androids, and other devices, according to a new report. But relatively solid sales in the premium and ultra-premium market segments could boost Apple Inc.'s smartphone revenue by unit above its competitors'.

Counterpoint Research’s latest Global Smartphone Shipment Forecast suggests total shipments will be down 6% for the year to 1.15 billion units. 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Smartphone shipments have been declining since 2017, but current economic headwi💎nds are exacerbating that trend.

Asia has experienced "intensifying declines across 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:emerging markets" and econ𝐆omic hurdles that are delaying a Chinese turnaround. “Apple is well-positioned as the premium segment continues🐲 to gain more share" in the China market, Counterpoint's Associate Director for China, Ethan Qi, said.

The situation in North America isn't much better, with current trajectories indicating a potential double-digit sales drop for the year. Counterpoint North America Research Director Jeff Fieldhack said, in part, "we’re watching Q4 with interest because the iPhone 15 launch is a window for carriers to steal high-value customers." A new iPhone launch will also entail promotional offers oꦉn older m🌠odels of the phone, contributing to increased smartphone shipments.

Counterpoint sees growth in the "premium" and "ultra-premium" smartphone segments disproportionately benefiting iPhone maker Apple (AAPL), which is poised to outsell competitors for the first time🅺 on a unit basis.

“It’s the closest Apple’s been to the top spot,” Fieldhack said. “Assuming Apple doesn’t run into production problems like it did last year, it’s really a toss-up at this point.”