Virgin Media O2 is doubling down on its commitment to tackle digital exclusion, by pledging to donate 12,000 phones to people who need them throughout 2026. Following the success of its 2025 commitment, where it also provided around 12,000 refurbished phones to those experiencing financial hardship, this year, the operator will again donate devices via its Community […]
According to Omdia, the global smartphone market grew 4 per cent YoY in Q4 2025, supported by seasonal demand and improved inventory discipline, even as rising component costs began to weigh on a few vendors. Growth was concentrated among leading vendors, including Apple and Samsung, across key regions. Apple led the smartphone market in Q4 […]
Deloitte expects the next New Year’s resolution trend could be a digital detox, with Brits starting the year with an ‘analogue January’ or ‘Janalogue’ – a conscious disconnect from digital devices and apps. The prediction is backed by research from the Deloitte Consumer Trends Survey 2025 which revealed how consumers are already taking proactive approaches […]
The race to bring satellite calls and texts to ordinary smartphones has begun, after UK comms regulator Ofcom announced its final decisions about how the technology can be rolled out. Mobile operators are now joining with satellite companies to deliver ‘direct-to-device services’ to everyday smartphones up and down the UK. This involves satellites hundreds of […]
Global smartphone shipments are forecast to grow 1.5 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in 2025 to 1.25 billion units, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. This is an increase from 1 per cent growth in prior forecast, primarily driven by accelerated performance from Apple in the holiday quarter, rapid growth in […]
Virgin Media O2 is encouraging people to donate their unwanted smartphones to its Community Calling programme which can help children from disadvantaged backgrounds more easily manage their diabetes with the latest technology. It comes as the company, which partnered with the Labour Party on this issue in April 2024, has now provided 1,000 refurbished […]
One in four Brits are planning to splash out on smart tech this Black Friday but nearly a third (31 per cent) find it hard to keep their connected tech connected, according to research from EE. The research reveals 12.8 million shoppers plan to buy smart tech during Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales, with […]
Smartphone shipments into Europe (excluding Russia) fell by 9 per cent to 28.7 million units in Q2 2025, according to Canalys (now part of Omdia). A restrained consumer and economic outlook is still limiting demand, making Europe the worst-performing smartphone region worldwide in Q2. On the vendor ranking table, Samsung sustained a confident lead, despite […]
According to research from Canalys (now part of Omdia), Africa posted solid 7 per cent year-on-year smartphone shipment growth, reaching 19.2 million units in Q2 2025 – making it one of the best-performing regions worldwide. This growth was powered by easing inflation in key markets, such as Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa, and currency stability […]
Research from Canalys (now part of Omdia) reveals that the Middle East’s (excluding Turkey) smartphone market grew 15 per cent to 13.2 million units in Q2 2025, making it the strongest-growing region worldwide. The rebound was powered by value-conscious buyers, festive season spending and strong economic momentum, positioning the region for continued expansion in smartphone […]