Latest news with #CCSInsight
Tahawul Tech
10 hours ago
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
Global second-hand smartphone market sees annual drop
Recent CCS Insight data has highlighted a 2% year-on-year drop in global second-hand smartphone shipments marking the first annual drop recorded in more than three years. The research organisation noted that the decline comes as operators face increasing consumer preference for SIM-free handsets bought directly from manufacturers or online platforms. An estimated 27.1 million devices were sold globally in the organised secondary market in the first quarter of the year, down from 27.6 million in Q1 2024. However, Ben Hatton, Market Analyst at CCS Insight, described the Q1 slowdown as 'nothing more than a blip', pointing to a positive long-term outlook in the coming quarters. A key growth opportunity is expected to come from trade-in programmes. Indeed, data showed that just 31 per cent of European consumers currently trade in or sell old phones, highlighting an untapped supply of more than 100 million devices annually. As tighter European regulations restrict device imports, the research company noted that despite a slow Q1, strong device buybacks in late 2024 show vendors with internal trade-in schemes are better positioned for long-term supply stability. Simon Bryant, VP of research at CCS Insight, highlighted Samsung's Galaxy Club in the UK as a model to watch, stating such initiatives 'help businesses lock consumers into trade-in agreements, improving take-back and supporting higher residual values for the leading brands in the secondary market'. Looking ahead, Hatton noted 'more mature' markets like France and the UK, which fell 11 per cent and 3 per cent respectively, will remain key to gauging the recovery of the second-hand European smartphone sector for the remainder of 2025. Source: Mobile World Live Image Credit: Stock Image
UPI
a day ago
- UPI
Samsung might launch its next foldable smartphone next month
Samsung likely will unveil the next thinner version of its foldable smartphone next month. Its previous version Galaxy Z Fold 6 (pictured) was introduced in Tokyo in 2024. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo June 19 (UPI) -- Samsung likely will unveil the next thinner version of its foldable smartphone next month. Over the weekend, leaks showcased a look at the Galaxy Z Fold 7 -- it has a thinner hinge, larger camera bump and a 200 MP sensor. It will run on Android 16 and has an 8-inch inner display and 6- to 5-inch cover display. "The newest Galaxy Z series is the thinnest, lightest and most advanced foldable yet -- meticulously crafted and built to last," Samsung said in a blog post earlier this month. The phone is reported to be slimmer at 4.5mm unfolded. It has titanium hinge components, refined crease control and a Snapdragon 8 Chipset. The camera is expected to be upgraded from a 50MP to a 200MP sensor and uses AI-enhanced image processing. "With foldables, thinness has become more critical than ever because people aren't prepared to accept the compromise for a thicker and heavier phone to get the real estate that a folding phone can deliver," Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, said on Thursday. According to a Laptopmag leaker, the phone will be revealed on July 11 and will go on sale July 25. Analysts are expecting models to be priced at about $2,000 and a little higher depending on U.S. tariffs. CCS insight said that foldables will account for just 2% of the overall smartphone market this year. In previous years, over 50% of foldable phone owners have all switched back to traditional phones in the next upgrade cycle, according to data.
Irish Independent
11-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
The Big Tech Show: What Apple announced for iPhones, Macs, iPads and Watches at WWDC, and its minimalist position on AI
Adrian is currently in Cupertino at Apple Park, California, where Apple just showcased their latest product upgrades. There were three main areas of focus; iOS 26, Liquid Glass and AI features. CCS Insight analysts, Ben Wood and Leo Gebbie, joined Adrian to discuss the new suite of Apple updates. The conversation began on the topic of AI. Both analysts pointed out that Apple's platform based approach to AI which centers on privacy is behind the other main players in the artificial intelligence space but that the typical Apple customer may not be buying hardware based on its AI capabilities. You can listen to the full episode here on the Irish Independent website or wherever you get your podcasts.
Glasgow Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Google in ‘tough position' as it balances AI advances and advertising revenue
On Tuesday, the tech giant announced that it was rolling out a new, optional version of its search engine entirely powered by artificial intelligence, which it said would enable users to ask longer, more complex queries. It was part of a string of announcements around new AI tools coming to Google's various services. But Leo Gebbie, industry expert and principal analyst at CCS Insight, said the company would need to strike a delicate balance between showing it was a leader in AI, while also protecting the money it raises from its search engine, which makes up the 'vast majority' of its revenue. 'As expected, Google is wrapping AI more tightly into its products and services than ever before. This includes Search, which will now get a dedicated AI mode,' he said. 'Any moves that Google makes to amend its Search product are of critical importance given that this contributes the vast majority of Google's revenues on a quarter-by-quarter basis. 'The new interface appears to try and cut down on the number of web pages that users will need to navigate to, allowing Google to handle more complex inquiries within its own platform. 'For the end user, this should mean less time spent browsing the web itself, and more time spent talking with Google's AI tools. 'What's far from clear is how Google will include advertising here, how third-party websites will respond to a lack of traffic to their content, and – as always – whether AI can be trusted to provide trustworthy responses to users. 'These are major and existential questions for Google given how central Search is to its entire business model. 'Google is in a tough position. The pressure is on for the company to show the value of its AI investments and to integrate it into its biggest products, like Search, but with that comes the risk that it jeopardises these critical revenue streams. 'But as competitors ramp up their offerings and shareholders look for returns, it must continue to seek innovation.' The rise of OpenAI's ChatGPT following its launch in late 2022 sparked an AI arms race which has seen many of Silicon Valley's most established names rush to introduce their own take on generative AI chatbots and integrate the emerging technology into their existing offerings, but with mixed results. Both Google and Apple have had issues with their generative tools creating misleading or inaccurate content, and AI tools also remain the subject of concerns around their potential impact on the jobs market, as well as issues around data privacy and copyright, with the creative industries warning the technology could be huge damage to their sector.
Powys County Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Google in ‘tough position' as it balances AI advances and advertising revenue
Google is facing a 'tough' balancing act of showing it can innovate in AI while maintaining its vital advertising revenue from its search engine, an expert has said. On Tuesday, the tech giant announced that it was rolling out a new, optional version of its search engine entirely powered by artificial intelligence, which it said would enable users to ask longer, more complex queries. It was part of a string of announcements around new AI tools coming to Google's various services. But Leo Gebbie, industry expert and principal analyst at CCS Insight, said the company would need to strike a delicate balance between showing it was a leader in AI, while also protecting the money it raises from its search engine, which makes up the 'vast majority' of its revenue. 'As expected, Google is wrapping AI more tightly into its products and services than ever before. This includes Search, which will now get a dedicated AI mode,' he said. 'Any moves that Google makes to amend its Search product are of critical importance given that this contributes the vast majority of Google's revenues on a quarter-by-quarter basis. 'The new interface appears to try and cut down on the number of web pages that users will need to navigate to, allowing Google to handle more complex inquiries within its own platform. 'For the end user, this should mean less time spent browsing the web itself, and more time spent talking with Google's AI tools. 'What's far from clear is how Google will include advertising here, how third-party websites will respond to a lack of traffic to their content, and – as always – whether AI can be trusted to provide trustworthy responses to users. 'These are major and existential questions for Google given how central Search is to its entire business model. 'Google is in a tough position. The pressure is on for the company to show the value of its AI investments and to integrate it into its biggest products, like Search, but with that comes the risk that it jeopardises these critical revenue streams. 'But as competitors ramp up their offerings and shareholders look for returns, it must continue to seek innovation.' The rise of OpenAI's ChatGPT following its launch in late 2022 sparked an AI arms race which has seen many of Silicon Valley's most established names rush to introduce their own take on generative AI chatbots and integrate the emerging technology into their existing offerings, but with mixed results. Both Google and Apple have had issues with their generative tools creating misleading or inaccurate content, and AI tools also remain the subject of concerns around their potential impact on the jobs market, as well as issues around data privacy and copyright, with the creative industries warning the technology could be huge damage to their sector.
