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Counterpoint Research cuts 2025 global smartphone shipment growth amid tariff uncertainty

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on June 4, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Counterpoint Research cuts 2025 global smartphone shipment growth amid tariff uncertainty
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(Reuters) -Research firm Counterpoint cut growth expectations for global smartphone shipments in 2025 to 1.9% on Wednesday, down from its earlier forecast of 4.2%, citing uncertainties surrounding U.S

Counterpoint Research Lowers 2025 Global Smartphone Shipment Growth Forecast

(Reuters) -Research firm Counterpoint cut growth expectations for global smartphone shipments in 2025 to 1.9% on Wednesday, down from its earlier forecast of 4.2%, citing uncertainties surrounding U.S. tariffs.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a series of tariffs on April 2, prompting companies such as Apple to adjust supply chains. However, the U.S. suspended the tariffs on smartphones and other electronic devices as part of a broader 90-day pause.

The downgrade signals challenges for manufacturers that already face weakening sales amid heightened geopolitical tensions and escalating tariff disputes.

The research firm also revised year-on-year shipment growth from China down to near-flat, while Apple and Samsung's shipments are expected to slow as cost increases are passed on to consumers.

Apple sells more than 220 million iPhones a year worldwide, with a fifth of total iPhone imports to the United States now come from India, and the rest from China.

Last month, International Data Corp slashed its 2025 global smartphone shipment growth forecast from 2.3% to 0.6%, citing tariff-driven economic uncertainty and a pullback in consumer spending.

(Reporting by Kanjyik Ghosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman)

Key Takeaways

  • Counterpoint Research cuts 2025 smartphone shipment growth to 1.9%.
  • U.S. tariffs create uncertainty for global smartphone market.
  • Apple and Samsung shipments expected to slow due to cost increases.
  • China's smartphone shipment growth revised to near-flat.
  • International Data Corp also slashed its 2025 forecast.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the revised growth expectation for global smartphone shipments in 2025?
Counterpoint Research has cut its growth expectation for global smartphone shipments in 2025 to 1.9%, down from an earlier forecast of 4.2%.
What factors contributed to the downgrade in smartphone shipment growth?
The downgrade is attributed to uncertainties surrounding U.S. tariffs and the challenges manufacturers face amid geopolitical tensions and weakening sales.
How have tariffs affected smartphone supply chains?
U.S. tariffs announced by President Trump prompted companies like Apple to adjust their supply chains, although tariffs on smartphones were suspended.
What are the expected shipment trends for Apple and Samsung?
Apple and Samsung are expected to see a slowdown in shipments as cost increases are passed on to consumers, with Apple selling over 220 million iPhones annually.
How did International Data Corp's forecast compare to Counterpoint's?
International Data Corp also revised its 2025 global smartphone shipment growth forecast down from 2.3% to 0.6%, citing similar tariff-driven economic uncertainties.

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