First quarter of 2013 results in 9.7 percent year-over-year growth, with 13.6 million units shipped.
Mobile device shipments in Japan increased 9.7 percent in 1Q13 compared to the same quarter in 2012 as consumers continue to favour smartphones and tablets over PCs, with PC shipments declining 4.6 percent in Japan and by 11.4 percent worldwide during the same quarter.
Overall, the tablet market saw a year-over-year growth of 187.2 percent, reaching over two million units, driven by the availability of cheap new tablets and sales incentives from mobile operators to boost shipping volumes of 4G tablets. Meanwhile, smartphone shipments grew by four percent during the quarter to 6.8 million units, equating to over half of the overall mobile device market.
Michito Kimura, Senior Market Analyst, PC, Mobile and Client Solution at IDC Japan, said that the growth in the sector would continue, despite facing challenges: “Smartphone shipments are expected to reach 30 million units in 2013, as forecast, but the annual growth rate will be slower given the maturity of this market. In comparison, the tablet market will continue to see rapid expansion over the next few years thanks to a growing demand for inexpensive tablets.
“While unit growth will continue to be good, inventory problems and fierce price competition could present challenges to vendors in both markets. Despite these challenges, smartphone shipments are forecast to surpass 37.0 million units in 2017 while tablet shipments are expected to reach 9.7 million units in 2017.”