Global smartphone shipments fall 20 percent; Samsung holds top spot

Global smartphone shipments fell 20 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier to 254.7 million units, the lowest third-quarter level since 2013, as higher component costs and rising handset prices dampened demand, particularly in emerging markets. Samsung Electronics shipped 57.8 million units to remain the top vendor, while Apple shipped 56.5 million units, narrowing the gap. China vendors posted steeper declines. Omdia expects full-year shipments to fall 12 percent.