The value of worldwide shipments of smartphones are expected to dwarf that of PCs for the first time this year amid growing demand for mobile devices, data showed Monday.

Global smartphone shipment value is forecast to reach $239.6 billion this year, surpassing PC shipment value estimated at $218.6 billion, according to the data by market researcher Gartner Inc. and finance industry sources.

If the estimated figures are on track, it will mark the first time smartphone shipments topped PC shipments on an amount basis.

Smartphones topped PCs in global numbers in 2011.

The forecast comes in line with continued demand for smartphones compared with weakening demand for PCs.

The amount of smartphone shipments is expected to jump 17.2 percent on-year, while the amount for PCs is forecast to shrink 3.9 percent.

Meanwhile, analysts said Samsung Electronics Co. may see its annual revenue beat that of rival Apple Inc. this year on the back of smartphone sales.

“Samsung’s smartphone revenue may reach $98 billion, surpassing Apple’s $92 billion. The company is also likely to narrow its operating profit gap with Apple with a profit of $25 billion compared with Apple’s $27 billion,” said Roh Geun-chang, an analyst at HMC Investment Securities Co.

In 2012, Samsung’s smartphone revenue totaled $66 billion, lagging behind Apple’s $86 billion. The South Korean company’s operating profit stood at $16.8 billion, roughly half of Apple’s $29.8 billion. (Yonhap News)