According to a new forecast by the IDC, smartphone shipments are expected to outpace total PC shipments by more than 6 to 1 in 2018. PC and tablet devices, along with 2-in-one convertible devices, have been declining in shipments, while smartphone growth is expected to lead the charge.

"Apple's iOS-ification of Mac OS, and Microsoft's implementation of Modern UI throughout different form factors are clear indicators that we're living in a mobile-first world," said Jitesh Ubrani, Research Analyst, Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker. "The PC will be the new accessory to mobile as smartphones become the first and primary computing device for many."

According to the IDC, smart devices are expected to grow 15.6% year over year in 2014, reaching close to 1.8 billion devices. Smartphone install base is quickly approaching two billion units and vendors are looking to find ways to obtain the next two billion users in new markets. Because of this, the IDC is forecasting a strong double-digit growth in the low-cost segment (currently dominated by Android), which is driving much of the growth in emerging countries like China, India, and Brazil.

IDC also states that mature markets like the US and Western Europe are beginning to slow down to single-digit growth as the install base has already become big.

IDC expects low cost Android devices to continue the increase in smartphone shipments over the next few years. Microsoft really needs to capitalize on this and release some brand new low-cost Windows Phone devices.

How do you feel about IDC's bold statement that smartphones are becoming the primary computing device for many people (with PCs taking the back seat)? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below.