News Summary

• Offers to trade in old models as well as interest-free financing plans are also driving demand for premium devices like Apple.It's disappointing news for Samsung which - until now - had the top spot as the world's largest maker of memory chips, smartphones and televisions..
• "Not only is Apple the only player in the Top 3 to show positive growth annually, but also bags the number 1 spot annually for the first time ever," said the IDC's Nabila Popal..
• Experts predict the market will recover this year.Still, the IDC said Apple - which sold more than 234 million phones last year - is "the biggest winner"..
• Huawei has recently made strides in making its own chips, after being banned from buying chips that were made using US technology over claims the company poses a national security risk to Washington..
• It is the lowest amount sold in a decade, with many consumers tightening their purse strings in the face of economic challenges and high interest rates..
• "All this despite facing increased regulatory challenges and renewed competition from Huawei in China, its largest market.".