Covid-19 has slammed smartphone demand into reverse this year.

How well has industry supply managed the shortfall?.

The answer is "surprisingly well"!

Real-time Internet logistics and virus-forced factory shutdowns mean the natural flow of smartphone supply worldwide this year has been reasonably well controlled and throttled. Plants closed or slowed quickly (where needed) in January to June, and have reopened swiftly (where appropriate) from March to September.

The end-result is, yes, there is smartphone inventory buildup out there today. But it is less bad than many think. Major manufacturers, like Foxconn and Samsung, deserve a relative pat on the back for their supply-chain control.

Clients of our Smartphones (WSS) service can download our full MONTHLY inventory tracker by brand here.