JR: Smartphones shipment to reach 1.2 billion in 2014

Analyst company Juniper Research estimates that global smartphone shipments for 2014 will reach 1.2 billion units. That's a 19% increase compared to 2013 when global smartphone shipments were estimated at 985 million. The growth in smartphone shipments comes primarily from emerging markets. There, the sub-$150 offerings are selling like hot cakes and this trend is expected to continue.