GfK upgrades global smartphone market forecast for 2016

(Telecompaper) GfK has upgraded its forecast for global smartphone sales, saying it sees stronger sales ofmid-range and high-end phones, helping to reverse the trend of sub-USD 100 phones gaining share. It now expects annual sales of USD 425.9 billion, equal to growth of 5 percent from USD 406.0 billion in 2015, compared to a previous forecast for a small fall to USD 400.7 billion. GfK's forecast are based on retail sales, rather than manufacturer shipments as used by most market researchers. Gf