Smartphone sales continued to fall globally in the recently ended quarter as consumers tracked spending, market tracker Counterpoint said on Monday.

Smartphone sales fell 8 percent for the ninth consecutive quarter compared to the same period a year ago, according to Counterpoint’s Market Pulse research.

In its findings, the group said the decline was “largely due to a slower-than-expected recovery in consumer demand.”

But strong sales in September and excitement about Apple’s new iPhone 15 series are signs that this quarter could break its losing streak, according to one market watcher.

“However, the market is expected to decline through 2023, reaching its lowest level in the last decade, due to changing device replacement patterns, particularly in developed markets,” Counterpoint said. said.

South Korean consumer electronics giant Samsung continues its dominance in the smartphone market, accounting for one-fifth of sales in the recently ended quarter. Apple ranked second with 16 percent of the market with its iPhone 15 models.