Counterpoint Research cuts growth in tariff uncertainty around global smartphone shipments in 2025

(Reuters) – Research firms’ counterpoint cuts expectations for global smartphone shipments in 2025, down from a previous 4.2% forecast to 1.9% on Wednesday, amid uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariffs.

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

The downgrade signal is challenged by manufacturers already facing weaker sales amid rising geopolitical tensions and escalating tariff disputes.

The research firm also revised year-on-year transport growth from China to near-trades, while Apple and Samsung shipments are expected to slow as costs rise.

Apple sells more than 220 million iPhones worldwide each year, and one-fifth of the iPhone imported to the United States is from India, and the rest comes from China.

Last month, International Data Corporation cut its 2025 global smartphone shipment forecast from 2.3% to 0.6% based on tariff-driven economic uncertainty and a pullback in consumer spending.

(Reported by Kanjyik Ghosh of Bangalore; Editor of Janane Venkatraman)