Worst-Case View Is 'Year of Decline' That May Affect Smartphones, Firm Forecasts

COVID-19 and its fallout's worst-case scenario is a year of decline for a “wide range” of consumer electronics industries, said Futuresource Thursday. After the smartphone category’s contraction over the past two years, 2020 was expected to be a breakout year with 5G. That push “may be delayed until 2021 should disruption continue,” the researcher forecast. The gaming industry, poised to jump-start stagnant sales with next-generations systems, could also be affected. Companies that could take coronavirus-related hits include Apple, Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony, the report said. Some meetings can be moved to digital platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, but there's little substitute for industry events that convene global decision-makers, noted the firm.