Gartner, a leading research firm, has predicted a growth of 4.4 per cent in sale of devices (PCs, Mobiles phones, tablets) in 2014 compared to that in 2013.

“However, in top-line spending, a shift in the product mix continues to be seen in the marketplace. Demand for highly priced premium phones is slowing, with buyers in mature countries preferring mid-tier premium phones, while those in emerging countries favour low-end Android basic phones,” said the research firm.

According to Gartner's projections, global devices shipments are projected to reach $ 2.5 billion units in 2014, a 6.9 per cent increase from 2013. Such shipments grew 4.8 per cent in 2013.

                              

On global IT spending, the research firm said it is on pace to total $ 3.8 trillion in 2014, a 3.2 per cent rise from 2013 spending.

Globally, businesses are shaking off their malaise and returning to spending on IT to support the growth of their business, Gartner Managing VP Richard Gordon said.“Consumers will be purchasing many new devices in 2014, however, there is a greater substitution toward lower cost and more basic devices than we have seen in prior years.”

Gartner indicated that the number of traditional PC users is contracting to a set of fewer, albeit more engaged, users. “In general, consumers are opting to buy premium ultramobiles as notebook replacements and purchasing tablets as additional devices,” said the research firm.