Smartphone shipments worldwide grew 2% year-over-year throughout 2025, according to recent market research. The uptick was largely driven by stronger consumer demand and solid economic expansion in emerging markets. This kind of momentum in developing regions often signals broader risk appetite returning to markets—something worth watching if you're thinking about asset allocation and how macro conditions are shaping tech adoption curves. When developed economies show cautious spending but emerging markets pull ahead, it typically reflects a shift in where growth is actually happening globally.