Global smartphone manufacturers were severely impacted by the temporary closures of factories in China and the reduced consumer spending in the first three months of this year. AFP
Global smartphone manufacturers were severely impacted by the temporary closures of factories in China and the reduced consumer spending in the first three months of this year. AFP
Global smartphone manufacturers were severely impacted by the temporary closures of factories in China and the reduced consumer spending in the first three months of this year. AFP
Global smartphone manufacturers were severely impacted by the temporary closures of factories in China and the reduced consumer spending in the first three months of this year. AFP

Global smartphone sales drop 20% in first quarter as coronavirus bites


Alkesh Sharma
  • English
  • Arabic

Global smartphone sales plunged 20 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Gartner consultancy.

Overall, 299.1 million smartphones were sold in the first three months, almost 75.8 million less than the same period last year, as Covid-19 disrupted supply chains and prevented consumers from spending on non-essential products, according to the latest data from Gartner.

Most of the leading Chinese manufacturers and California-based Apple were “severely impacted by the temporary closures of factories in China and reduced consumer spending due to the global shelter-in-place orders”, said Anshul Gupta, a senior research analyst at Gartner.

Despite its sales falling nearly 23 per cent annually in the first quarter, Samsung maintained the number one position with 18.5 per cent global market share. The South Korean company sold 55.3 million units during the period, almost 16.3 million less than last year.

The company built more inventory of products but its “inefficient online channel combined with the lockdown led to much weaker sales” Gartner said.

Global smartphone sales
Global smartphone sales

“Covid-19 negatively impacted Samsung’s smartphone sales during the quarter … however, the decline could have been much worse,” Mr. Gupta said. “Its limited presence in China and the location of its manufacturing facilities outside of China prevented a steeper fall.”

Huawei trailed Samsung with a 14.2 per cent market share and Apple retaining 13.7 per cent.

Shenzhen-headquartered Huawei recorded the worst performance among the top five global smartphone vendors. Its sales fell to 42.5 million units, a decline of 27.3 per cent year-on-year.

Apple’s iPhones sales declined 8.2 per cent yearly, totalling 41 million units in the first quarter of 2020. AFP
Apple’s iPhones sales declined 8.2 per cent yearly, totalling 41 million units in the first quarter of 2020. AFP

With US restrictions in place, Gartner analysts predict a challenging 2020 for the firm. Though the company has developed the Huawei Mobile Service ecosystem, it is unlikely to attract new smartphone buyers in international markets due to the absence of popular Google apps.

While Apple is not as dependent on China as other brands such as Huawei and Oppo, it faced supply constraints and store closures that negatively impacted iPhone sales in the first quarter.

iPhone sales declined 8.2 per cent yearly, totalling 41 million units during the period.

“Apple had a good start to the year thanks to its new product line up that saw strong momentum globally,” said Annette Zimmermann, research vice-president at Gartner.

“Supply chain disruptions and declining consumer spending put a halt to this positive trend in February," Ms Zimmermann said.

"If Covid-19 would not have happened, the vendor would have likely seen its iPhone sales reached record level in the quarter.”

However, Apple’s strong online presence, ability to serve customers through online stores and its production returning to near normal levels at the end of March helped it to gain some of the lost momentum, according to Gartner.

All top five smartphone manufacturers suffered a decline in shipments, except for the Chinese brand Xiaomi that grew 1.4 per cent.

Strong sales of its Redmi devices in international markets and aggressive focus on online channels led Xiaomi to achieve better than expected sales, according to Gartner.

The wider availability of affordable 5G phones was meant to cut the replacement period in 2020, but this is no longer the case.

“The delayed delivery of some 5G flagship phones is an ongoing issue,” said Ms Zimmermann.

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Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
2024%20Dubai%20Marathon%20Results
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Asian Cup 2019

Quarter-final

UAE v Australia, Friday, 8pm, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain

The National in Davos

We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?

Some facts about bees:

The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer

The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days

A queen bee lives for 3-5 years

This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony

About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive

Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.

Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen 

Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids

Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments

Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive,  protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts

Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain

Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities

The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes

Is beekeeping dangerous?

As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.

“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”

 

 

The Settlers

Director: Louis Theroux

Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz

Rating: 5/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20specs
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Points to remember
  • Debate the issue, don't attack the person
  • Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
  • Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
  • Listen actively without interrupting
  • Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
MATCH INFO

Europa League final

Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports

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ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

Ruwais timeline

1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established

1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants

1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed

1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.  

1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex

2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea

2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd

2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens

2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies

2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export

2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.

2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery 

2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital

2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13

Source: The National

The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000

Engine 3.6L V6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm

Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

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