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Chinese Brands Take a Hit as Smartphone Sales Slump in Mideast and African Countries

by Eric Olander

First-quarter smartphone shipments to countries in the Mideast and Africa slumped to their lowest level in seven years, with some of China’s top device makers all losing share. High inflation and weak local currencies are largely to blame for the downturn, according to analysts at the technology research firm Counterpoint.

While shipments are down compared to the same period last year, they are showing signs of rebounding compared to Q3 and Q4 last year, when shipments fell by 20% and 18% respectively.

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