TOKYO – Japanese smartphone component supplier Murata Manufacturing aims to grow sales to Chinese makers of lower-end handsets destined for emerging markets as it looks beyond saturated strongholds.

Murata, a leading supplier of ceramic capacitors, sees the smartphone market growing 5 per cent in the year ending March 2025, aided by demand for mid- and low-end handsets in places such as India, Africa and South-east Asia.

“Exports by Chinese makers to areas with growing populations are really increasing,” Murata president Norio Nakajima said in an interview.

Murata, a supplier to Apple and Samsung Electronics, is among industry players grappling with depressed smartphone demand as consumers hold on to handsets for longer.

In October, smartphone sales grew 5 per cent year on year after more than two years of decline, boosted by demand in emerging markets, data from research firm Counterpoint showed.

Within China itself, excess inventory is normalising, Mr Nakajima said.

In November, Apple said demand for its iPhone in China remains strong, with analysts also pointing to strong sales of smartphones from local champion Huawei Technologies. REUTERS