Global smartphone shipments are expected to grow 11.3% in 2015, which is down from 27.6% in 2014, according to IDC.

While overall smartphone growth will continue to slow, many markets will experience robust growth in 2015 and beyond, and worldwide shipment volumes are forecast to reach 1.9 billion units by 2019.

IDC projects 2015 to be the first year in which China's smartphone growth, forecast to be 2.5% in 2015, will be slower than the worldwide market.

In related to the China forecast, Android smartphone growth is also expected to be slower than the worldwide market at 8.5% in 2015. IDC believes both trends will persist throughout the forecast period, which now goes to 2019.

Meanwhile, IDC expects iOS smartphones to grow 23% in 2015 and remain above worldwide market growth rates throughout the forecast.