IDC said smartphone shipments are expected to increase by 10.4 per cent in 2015 to 1.44 billion units. This is lower than the research company's previous forecast of 11.3 per cent year-on-year growth for the current year. IDC said it expects to see a noticeable slowdown in smartphone shipments in 2015 as China joins North America and Western Europe "in a more mature growth pattern." Although China remains the focal point of the global smartphone market in 2015, results haven't been as positive as in previous years. Shipments are forecast to grow just 1.2 per cent year-on-year in 2015, which is down from 19.7 per cent in 2014. While, China will remain the largest market for smartphone volumes for the coming few years, its share of the overall market is expected to drop to 23.1 per cent in 2019 as high-growth markets like India continue to expand. China consumed 32.3 per cent of all new smartphone shipments in 2014. Report