iWorld
Global smartphone shipments increase in first quarter amidst trade concerns
MUMBAI: According to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, global smartphone1 shipments experienced a 1.5 per cent year-over-year increase in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 304.9 million units. This performance aligned with IDC forecasts, attributed to manufacturers increasing production in anticipation of potential US tariffs on imports from China.
IDC vice-president Francisco Jeronimo noted that geopolitical uncertainty and the threat of US tariff hikes on Chinese goods led vendors to accelerate production and pull forward significant shipment volumes, particularly into the US market, during the first quarter. This supply-side action resulted in shipment figures exceeding levels expected based on underlying consumer demand.
IDC group vice president Ryan Reith highlighted that while the US government’s recent pause on smartphone import tariffs from China provides temporary relief, the continued reliance on China’s supply chain and ongoing tariff volatility create challenges for future planning and decision-making for many companies. He suggested that US smartphone brands should leverage the tariff exemption to maximize building and shipping. Additionally, he cautioned that economic uncertainty could potentially dampen consumer demand in the coming months.
The US smartphone market saw growth of over five per cent in the first quarter, despite the impact of tariffs and trade tensions on disposable income. IDC research director Anthony Scarsella attributed this growth to increased consumer interest in new models from leading manufacturers and a sense of urgency to purchase before potential price increases. He also suggested that the 90-day tariff pause could further boost sales in the second quarter.
Globally, the first quarter saw growth among major smartphone vendors, particularly Chinese companies in their domestic market, supported by government subsidies extended to smartphones in January 2025. This subsidy program aims to stimulate consumption for products priced below yuan 6,000 ($820).
Among the top vendors:
* Samsung regained market leadership, driven by the continued success of its Galaxy S25 premium devices and the mid-range Galaxy A series, including the latest Galaxy A36 and A56 featuring more affordable AI capabilities.
* Apple achieved its highest first-quarter shipments ever, attributed to stockpiling to mitigate potential US ariffs and to address potential supply chain disruptions in other regions. However, its performance in China declined as its Pro models were not included in the Chinese government subsidy program.
* Xiaomi’s performance was primarily driven by growth in China due to the government subsidies, positively impacting sales of its mid-range products.
* Oppo regained the fourth position despite a decline in shipments due to weaker performance in international markets, which was not fully offset by growth in China.
* Vivo experienced substantial year-on-year growth of 6.3 per cent, supported by subsidies in China and growth in international markets, with strong performance in low-end devices and the V series.
In conclusion, while the global smartphone market showed positive shipment growth in the first quarter of 2025, the ongoing US-China trade war and tariff volatility continue to present significant concerns for the remainder of the year.
Gaming
Roblox appoints Sunil Rao as India managing director to drive growth
Former AWS leader to lead creator ecosystem, partnerships and local strategy
MUMBAI: Roblox has appointed Sunil Rao as managing director for India, as the company looks to deepen its footprint in one of its fastest-growing markets.
Rao, who will join in May, will serve as the senior-most representative for Roblox in India, leading local strategy, partnerships and day-to-day operations. His mandate includes strengthening the platform’s presence, supporting the creator ecosystem and aligning India’s market needs with global priorities.
A key focus area will be nurturing India’s growing community of developers and creators, enabling local studios to leverage Roblox’s tools for scaling and monetisation. Globally, the platform’s creator community earned over $1.5 billion in 2025, underlining the economic potential of user-generated content ecosystems.
“Roblox is at the forefront of enabling a new generation of creators and games. India’s scale, creativity, and entrepreneurial energy present a massive opportunity,” said Rao. “I’m excited to build a vibrant and inclusive ecosystem that empowers developers and creators across the country. Ensuring child safety and aligning closely with India’s regulatory framework will be among my top priorities.”
Welcoming the appointment, Roblox vice president international Zhen Fang said India represents a high-potential market for the company. “Sunil brings deep expertise in building operations across diverse markets, and his passion for community-centric platforms makes him the ideal leader to drive our next chapter of growth in the country.”
Rao brings over two decades of experience across technology platforms, venture capital and developer ecosystems. He was previously part of the leadership team at Amazon Web Services, where he led strategy and corporate business development across Asia-Pacific and Japan. He also served as a partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, working closely with startups and founders.
Earlier in his career, Rao played a key role in building developer ecosystems at Symbian, Nokia and Google, contributing to the growth of major mobile and internet platforms.
With India’s large youth population and rapidly evolving digital landscape, Roblox’s latest leadership move signals a sharper focus on long-term growth, local relevance and creator-led innovation in the market.
