CTA Expects US 2021 Smartphone Shipments to Grow 10%

U.S. smartphone shipments will rise 10% this year to 154 million units, with $73 billion of sales, a 15% jump, said CTA on Thursday. More than 106 million 5G smartphones are expected to ship, up 530%. Audiobooks and podcasts are driving audio sales growth of 18% to $10 billion. Video streaming will rise 15% to $43 billion. Demand for technology is forecast to lift retail tech sales 7.5% to a record $487 billion. The pandemic “strengthened consumers’ relationship with technology,” said CTA CEO Gary Shapiro.