Global Smartphone Sales Fell 14 Percent in February as Coronavirus Spread

Global smartphone sales tumbled 14 percent in February as the coronavirus spread in China and overseas, Counterpoint Research said on Thursday, a likely harbinger of more declines as outbreaks worsen in many parts of the world.

The outbreak prompted Apple and other smartphone makers to shut their China stores in February and government data suggests Apple sold less than 500,000 smartphones in the mainland Chinese market during the month.

China, which saw sales drop 38 percent in February from a year earlier, is now showing signs of recovery with many stores re-opening in mid-March.

March 26, 2020