The coronavirus pandemic is showing no signs of a slowdown, with the global grand total of confirmed cases breaking the 2 million barrier as of today and the death toll rapidly approaching the 150,000 mark, which continues to force a large chunk of the world’s population to hunker down and take extreme social distancing measures.

The world’s largest smartphone market has already seen a massive decline in both demand and production throughout the year’s first quarter, and starting last month, similar effects of the pandemic have been reported… pretty much everywhere else. No handset vendor, no matter how big or small, will be spared by this unforeseen recession, although certain companies may have more to suffer than others.

Things are bad

Could things get even worse?

That, our friends, is the million-dollar question, but alas, no tech analyst, medical expert, or overly optimistic US President can supply a definitive answer just yet. Clearly, the pandemic could go on for at least a little while longer, keeping factories closed and most people sheltered in place, but at the same time, everyone is hoping we’ll be able to gradually get on with our lives… one way or another soon.

Samsung’s execs are among those hopeful of a relatively speedy rebound, planning (at least for the time being) to “bring production volume back to normal in May.” Naturally, for that to happen, the company’s plants in Brazil and India will need to open their doors again and return to normal activity, which is by no means guaranteed, while consumer demand also has to show some kind of an encouraging sign, which seems highly unlikely.

The overall smartphone market could continue to decline through June, with sales expected to pick up during Q3, although that’s far from guaranteed as well and contingent on many incredibly volatile factors that have little to do with the mobile industry itself.