Global smartphone market shrank annually for first time in Q1

SEOUL: Global shipments of smartphones shrank three per cent in first quarter from a year earlier in market’s first year-on-year contraction on record, researcher Strategy Analytics said today. Strategy Analytics said in a statement that January to March shipments fell to 334.6 million devices from 345 million in same period a year earlier, as major markets matured and concerns about global economy weighed on consumer sentiment.