Global smartphone shipments are expected to reach 1.24 billion units in 2014. Furthermore, the top-ten vendors are forecast to include Samsung Electronics, Apple, LG Electronics, Sony Mobile Communications, Lenovo, Huawei, Microsoft, ZTE, Coolpad, and TCL, according to Digitimes Research.

Apple could see its shipments double in 2014, mainly due to increased shipments to China and Japan. Meanwhile, the growth rate for Samsung is expected to be be limited this year as sales in US, China, and Japan will be affected by the growing popularity of iPhones. China\'s Lenovo, Huawei, and Coolpad are expected to increase efforts to boost sales in overseas markets. However, TCL and ZTE will continue to mainly ship smartphones to overseas markets, but will also strengthen sales in China. Domestic sales are expected to account for less than half of their total shipments in 2014.