The Philippines smartphone market declined 16.7 percent in the first quarter this year over the previous quarter and 11 percent down versus same period last year, lowest in three years, with shipments reaching only 3.5 million units in the first three months this year, according to the International Data Corporation’s worldwide mobile phone tracker.
“The last time shipments hit below 3.5 million records was back in 1Q20 when the pandemic just started and the first lockdown was implemented,” said Angela Medez, client devices senior market analyst at IDC Philippines.