02:30 PM EDT, 08/27/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Global smartphone shipments are expected to increase 5.8% year over year in 2024 amid stronger growth for Android devices in China and emerging markets, market tracker International Data Corporation said Tuesday.

Android smartphones' affordability and the excitement over generative artificial intelligence devices have spurred optimism about the outlook for shipments this year, the IDC said as it projected overall 2024 worldwide shipments of 1.23 billion units.

Smartphone shipments in Q1 grew 12%, followed by a 9% increase in Q2, it said.

Shipments of Android devices this year are forecast to increase 7.1%, faster than the 0.8% growth projected for Apple's ( AAPL ) iOS devices, IDC said.

The outlook paints tough competition for the iPhone maker in China, although the upcoming launch of iPhone 16 featuring AI capabilities could provide an upside to the iOS forecast, it said.

The IDC projects a 4% growth for iOS shipments next year, with Apple Intelligence gaining momentum.

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