Global smartphone shipments will grow at least 10 per cent year-on-year through 2016 to hit 1.5 billion units, research company Canalys predicted. The devices will account for 77 per cent of total global mobile device shipments, which Canalys forecast would reach close to 2 billion units. Despite the predicted growth, the company warned that 2016 would be a tough year for vendors, as mobile phone shipment figures for the fourth quarter of 2015 showed that industry growth is decelerating. However, cost conscious consumers will still provide sales opportunities, along with first-time smartphone buyers. Report