Raymond James: Smartphone market expected to enter a flat phase in 2014, except for China

Raymond James analyst Tavis McCourt released a report on smartphone sales in Q4 2013. The report shows that the global smartphone market has entered a slowdown phase, but this does not include China. McCourt pointed out that it is difficult for investors in non-Chinese markets to see a strong growth momentum, and Apple and Samsung will still dominate the smartphone market.

It is reported that although Android is the mobile platform with the highest sales volume, it is not the platform that generates the most revenue. There is no doubt that Apple still dominates the smartphone market in terms of revenue. It is reported that the company's revenue accounted for 87.4% of the entire market in the fourth quarter of 2013, while its competitor Samsung only had 32.2%. As for other mobile phone manufacturers, their losses continue.

In addition, McCourt pointed out that Chinese mobile phone manufacturers accounted for 30% of the industry's revenue and 40% of its sales in the fourth quarter of 2014. However, the analyst believes that the growth of smartphones in this market will slow down in 2014. In his opinion, Chinese mobile phone manufacturers still have the potential to develop their business in emerging markets, but they cannot compete with Apple and Samsung in developed countries.

It is this market environment that has forced other mobile phone manufacturers to make changes: Microsoft acquired Nokia's equipment division, Google sold Motorola Mobility to Lenovo, and BlackBerry will work with Foxconn to manufacture cheap mobile phones.