IDC sees weaker handset growth but surging tablet sales for 2012

Research firm IDC predicted weak growth in global handset sales. However, the firm said tablet sales are booming this year and will continue to do so. IDC said that handset vendors will ship more than 1.7 billion mobile phones this year, representing growth of 1.4 percent year-over-year. That amounts to the slowest annual growth rate measured by IDC in three years. The research firm blamed weak macroeconomic conditions worldwide for the slowdown. Release.

In contrast, IDC sees tablet sales booming, thanks in large part to strong sales of Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad mini and Android tablets. IDC increased its 2012 tablet sales forecast to 122.3 million units, up from its previous forecast of 117.1 million. IDC said that by 2016, tablet shipments will hit 282.7 million units, up from a previous forecast of 261.4 million units. Release.