TAIPEI – Global smartphone shipments are expected to top 630 million units in 2012, up 35% year-over-year, says Digitimes.

Smartphone shipments in 2010 and 2011 both experienced growth of more than 60%. Growth is expected to decelerate in 2012 as a result of the high base, as well as a slowdown in consumer spending in Western Europe. 

In the second half of the year, global smartphone shipments are expected to reach 344 million units.

Quarterly shipments will register sequential growth through the last quarter of 2012, but growth is expected to slow at a gradual rate and likely decelerate to 22% in the fourth quarter.