Apple, Android maintain smartphone share despite market slowdown

The growth rate of smartphone shipments is projected to dip below 10% for the first time on record as demand in China begins to dry up, according to new numbers released by industry tracker IDC. Worldwide shipments are expected to grow 9.8% this year to 1.43 billion units, as China becomes a replacement market and demand slows in other Asian, Latin American and Western European countries, according to IDC. Alphabet Inc.'s Android mobile operating system is expected to grow its global share slightly to 82% from 81%, despite competition from Chinese upstarts such as Xiaomi. Apple Inc.'s iOS share is expected to remain around 14% to 15%, though IDC raised its fourth-quarter iPhone estimates, citing strong demand for the iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s Plus.

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