Francisco Jeronimo

Amazon exploring a smartphone at this stage raises more questions than answers: the market is contracting, there's a memory shortage driving costs up, and differentiation in a mature category dominated by Apple, Samsung, and Chinese OEMs is nearly impossible. If this is a conventional phone play, the odds of success are low; however, the more interesting angle is whether this is actually a vehicle for something broader. An AI-centric, conversational companion home device aligned with Alexa's evolution is an interesting opportunity. Under Panos Panay, Amazon has the leadership to rethink its hardware strategy, but the real challenge is not execution; it is choosing the right category where it can deliver meaningful, defensible value in an AI-first world. Read more here 👉 reuters.com/technology/ama…

OPPO puts to rest one of the main problems for many users of foldables: the crease. Although it never really bothered me much, many consumers didn't like it. With the Find N6, @oppo is claiming a "zero-feel crease", and most reviews I've seen so far seem to be very positive. If that holds up in real-world use, this is an important step forward for the segment, not because it is a flashy feature, but because it removes one of the biggest points of friction for consumers. Kudos to OPPO for such an announcement 👏

Had a great time unveiling #OPPOFindN6 on stage last night! While foldables give you that bigger, more immersive display, the crease has always been one of the biggest user concerns. It's one we've been working to solve since the original Find N and its pioneering waterdrop hinge. With the Find N6, we refined the hinge and materials to deliver a true Zero-Feel Crease. Now users get the full expansive screen with zero interruption.

Kenya’s smartphone growth slows to 10% in 4Q25 after eight strong quarters, as buyers shift to premium devices. What’s driving the change — and what’s next for 2026? Explore @IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker 👉 bit.ly/4k2IE3e

Outstanding device from @oppo

Growth in the mobile industry is increasingly driven by emerging markets, but noise pollution in these markets is shaping the user experience. In regions across Southeast Asia and West Africa, noise pollution is a daily barrier to communication: • 📞 High reliance on voice calls, often for business-critical interactions • 🎧 Low penetration of headsets, making on-device performance essential • 🛵 Complex soundscapes: traffic, markets, generators, and crowded streets This impacts the call quality and ultimately the overall smartphone experience. This is why manufacturers like TECNO are using AI noise cancellation to differentiate from competitors. These adaptive, localised AI models are trained on real-world acoustic environments, so they can offer a better experience. @IDC research shows that incorporating local data significantly improves performance, translating directly into clearer calls and better usability. In markets driving the next wave of growth, the winners will be those who design for how technology is actually used and how it positively impacts people's lives. Read more here 👉 mp.weixin.qq.com/s/toA6mA4isW5u…

"In the video, Francisco Jeronimo and Nabila Popal from IDC discuss the new device, while also discussing Motorola's position. The results reveal that Motorola has 50% of the market in the US and 55% in Latin America. Meanwhile in Europe, the company has about 13% – but faces greater competition from the likes of Honor, Oppo and others." t3.com/tech/android-p…

. @tecnomobile and @IDC released a white paper on AI full-scenario noise reduction technology, focusing on the complex noise environment of emerging markets. 📱🔊 ⁉️ Did you know that in emerging markets, noise cancellation is often a higher priority for smartphone buyers than system fluency? A recent report by @IDC and @tecnomobile reveals that in densely populated regions like Indonesia and Nigeria, noise pollution is a significant barrier to daily communication. With low Bluetooth headset penetration, users rely almost entirely on their phone's built-in technology to be heard. Key Insights: 📊High Demand: 65.6% of users in Indonesia and 69.3% in Nigeria report a "strong need" for effective noise cancellation. 🚦Frequent Pain Points: Up to 46% of users struggle weekly to hear callers due to background noise like traffic, motorcycles, and generators. 💼Business Impact: For outdoor workers and small traders, a muffled call isn't just an annoyance—it can lead to tangible business losses. In these markets, clear communication is critical for a better digital experience, and AI can help improve that experience. @TECNOMobileNG Read more here 👉 mp.weixin.qq.com/s/toA6mA4isW5u…

Apple has refreshed its premium headphones with the new 🎧AirPods Max 2, bringing more intelligence to the listening experience. Powered by Apple’s H2 chip, the new model focuses on computational audio and smarter interaction rather than a radical redesign. Key highlights: 🎧 H2 chip architecture: enables more advanced computational audio and improved processing. 🔇 Stronger Active Noise Cancellation: Apple claims up to 1.5× better noise cancellation compared with the previous generation. 🌍 Live translation: users can translate conversations in real time through the headphones when paired with compatible Apple devices. 🎙 Voice isolation & conversation awareness: clearer calls and automatic audio adjustment when someone speaks nearby. 🎼 Lossless audio via USB-C: supports 24-bit / 48kHz lossless audio when connected with a cable. 🔋 Up to 20 hours of battery life with Active Noise Cancellation enabled. This launch reinforces Apple’s push toward intelligent wearables. 🔗 apple.com/newsroom/2026/…

At #MWC2026, I had the opportunity to discuss the industry’s biggest shifts with Thomas Meyer, Senior Vice President of @IDC Research. 📹 Watch the conversation here 👉 youtu.be/TIghLAujoJA?fe… Several themes stood out: 🚀 Beyond Mobility The focus is expanding from smartphones and connectivity toward the infrastructure behind them, including edge networking and even the concept of data centers in orbit, sometimes referred to as the “next space age” of computing. 🤖 Practical AI Integration The industry is moving past the AI hype cycle. Vendors are now focused on delivering tangible business outcomes by combining AI, mobility, and edge computing into real enterprise solutions. 🇪🇺 Sovereign Infrastructure Geopolitics and regulatory pressures are accelerating Europe’s push for local infrastructure and data sovereignty, increasing investment in regional data centers and AI capabilities. 🤝 Public–Private Collaboration Large-scale initiatives - such as emerging AI infrastructure projects in Germany - highlight how governments and industry must collaborate to address energy, regulation, and strategic autonomy. The industry is shifting from a device-centric market to an infrastructure-driven ecosystem. The competitive advantage will increasingly depend not only on the hardware people use, but on the distributed intelligence and sovereign infrastructure that power it. Watch the conversation here 👉 youtu.be/TIghLAujoJA?fe…

👏 Xiaomi delivered one of the most comprehensive product announcements at #MWC2026, in line with its ecosystem strategy. I had the opportunity to speak with Angus Ng, Global Communications Director at Xiaomi Technology . 📹 Watch it here 👉 youtu.be/iLoCh-hgKZo We discussed several key shifts in Xiaomi’s ecosystem: 🔗 Interoperability: Xiaomi is moving away from a “walled garden” approach. New products such as power banks and smart tags are now designed to connect with both Android and Apple ecosystems. 🏠 Large Appliances: the company is expanding beyond small electronics (like robot vacuums) into white goods, including refrigerators and other large home appliances. 🚗 Automotive Design: the Vision GT concept car showcased at the event was described as a “blank canvas” for Xiaomi’s R&D, demonstrating design capabilities beyond the constraints of standard production vehicles. The conversation also touched on the challenge of memory shortages and price spikes. Despite the memory 🌊tsunami expected to hit the market this year, Angus remained confident in Xiaomi’s positioning due to: 🤝 Supplier Relations: strong partnerships that provide a buffer against supply volatility. 📊 Market Scale: as the world’s third-largest smartphone manufacturer, Xiaomi leverages its scale to maintain a competitive advantage over smaller rivals. 📦 Portfolio Management: while Xiaomi has a strong presence in the entry-level segment, the company is making real-time strategic adjustments to its product mix to protect its top-three global ranking. Xiaomi is effectively transitioning from a smartphone company into a broader “Human-Car-Home” lifestyle brand. By opening its ecosystem to Apple users, Xiaomi is lowering the barrier to entry, betting that hardware quality and cross-device integration will eventually convert competitors’ customers. The real test will come in 2027, as the company attempts to translate its high-volume consumer electronics success into the high-stakes, capital-intensive global automotive market 🧐 📹 Watch it here 👉 youtu.be/iLoCh-hgKZo @IDC @bryanbma @IDCAP @XiaomiUK @XiaomiIndia @XiaomiNigeria @XiaomiMalaysia @Xiaomi @Xiaomi_PH @xiaomi_Gcc

“The MacBook Neo will reshape the entry-level laptop segment,” @IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo said." "IDC estimates the global market for smartphones will decline 12.9% in 2026 year over year, while laptop shipments will be down 11.3%. The brunt of this will be felt by more budget brands, like Lenovo, or manufacturers of cost-conscious Android devices. Apple is now ready to swoop in for those consumers who will browse the aisles at Best Buy and quickly realize that dropping $500 on a Windows laptop doesn’t go as far as it did last year." 🔗 bloomberg.com/opinion/articl…

Motorola unveiled the Razr Fold at #MWC2026, officially entering the book-style foldable segment, which clearly indicates its ambition to compete at the top of the market. I attended the launch with my colleague Nabila Popal, and we discussed how Motorola is shifting the foldable narrative from lifestyle appeal to professional productivity. Watch the video to hear about: 📊 Motorola’s momentum in foldables and how it is rapidly becoming a leading player in this category. 🌎 Regional leadership, securing the #1 position in North America (50% share) and leading Latin America (55%). 📱 What differentiates the Razr Fold from competing devices in the book-style foldable segment. ✍️ Moto Pen Ultra, a key addition that strengthens the device’s productivity credentials. Motorola is moving beyond the flip form factor it helped popularise and positioning itself as a serious challenger in the broader foldable market. Watch here 👉 lnkd.in/e_JkH5C7

"Francisco Jeronimo, vicepresidente de Dispositivos de Cliente Mundiales de @IDC, por su parte, dijo a CNET, que este impacto comenzará a afectar la producción de teléfonos alrededor del segundo trimestre y el resto del año." 🔗 expansion.mx/tecnologia/202…

Another excellent #MWC2026 is over. Great week of excellent discussions and events. It’s always a pleasure to catch up with friends in the industry, media and colleagues. See you all next year! Here some of my stats: 🏃 48 km walked 🚶75,600 steps 📅 64 meetings & events A lot to uncover over the coming days. Stay tuned 🗣️

Watch IDC's @NabilaPopal on Bloomberg Tech, tomorrow at 12:10 AM SGT (Feb. 27, 11:10 AM EST). She will discuss the impact of the ongoing #memory supply challenges on IDC's #smartphone market outlook. Learn more in our blog: bit.ly/3OQNm8B.

Barcelona is about to take center stage. 🌍 At #MWC26, IDC’s Devices team will be covering AI-powered hardware innovation, global shipment trends, and competitive shifts across the market. Our analysts will be onsite sharing timely insights and perspectives from the show floor. Interested in connecting with the team? 👉 See which IDC experts are attending and book your meeting: bit.ly/4aOukHu #MWC26 #MobileWorldCongress #IDCHotTakes

Catch IDC's Bryan Ma Tomorrow on Bloomberg Tech Asia at 8:30 AM SGT (9:30 AM JST). He will discuss the APAC device shipment outlook, latest #PC and #smartphone forecasts, and trends shaping the #memory market. 📅 27 Feb, Friday 🕝 08:30 AM SGT (09:30 AM JST)