Smartphones outship PCs in fourth quarter, IDC report claims

New figures from research firm IDC reveal there were 100.9 million smartphones shipped during the fourth quarter, while PC manufacturers only shipped 92.1 million units.

The figures highlight how popular more powerful smartphones are becoming, and how users are adopting more mobile technologies instead of traditional PCs.

Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst at IDC, told PC Mag that comparing smartphones and traditional PCs is a good comparison because most people own both. However, he also said PC markets are fairly saturated and people replace smartphones much more often.

“They’re smaller, lightweight, and can do a lot,” he said.

But Llamas also said that PC manufacturers shouldn’t be too concerned right now, considering many major companies are now moving into the smartphone market themselves.

“Yes, they’ll be there in some way, shape, or form, but for smartphones, the market is growing and a lot of competitors are getting into it bigger and bigger.”