Smartphone shipments across Africa declined 7.9 percent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) in Q2 2022, says IDC.

Shipments of feature phones rose 10.6 percent QoQ, with their cheaper prices offering a viable alternative for cash-strapped consumers.

The top three smartphone markets in Africa by unit share in Q2 2022 were South Africa (16.6 percent), Nigeria (13.8 percent), and Kenya (7.7 percent); however, all three saw shipments decline QoQ.

Transsion brands (Tecno, Itel, and Infinix) led the African smartphone market in Q2 2022 with a unit share of 48 percent, maintaining steady shipments into the region.

Second-placed Samsung (25.8 percent share) recorded an 11.3 percent QoQ decline in shipments.

Third-placed Xiaomi (6.6 percent share) saw its shipments decline 8.3 percent.

The average selling price (ASP) of smartphones in Africa declined 3 percent QoQ in Q2 2022 due to a sharp 22.3 percent QoQ fall in shipments of midrange devices ($200<$450).

Shipments at the lower end of the market were down 3.9 percent in the $0<$100 price band and 6.0 percent in the $100<$200 category.

4G devices accounted for 73.9 percent of overall smartphone shipments into Africa in Q2 2022, with 3G and 5G accounting for shares of 18.5 percent and 7.6 percent, respectively.

Shipments of 5G devices increased 26.9 percent QoQ in Q2 2022 and their share of the overall market is growing.

The slow pace of 5G network infrastructure development across Africa has not slowed adoption since 5G devices can also be used on the more readily available 4G networks, says George Mbuthia, a senior research analyst at IDC.

IDC expects smartphone shipments into Africa to grow 16.9 percent QoQ in Q3 2022 and a further 9.5 percent in Q4 2022.