(Telecompaper) The global smartphone market slowed significantly in the first quarter, with shipments little changed at 334.9 million units versus 334.3 million a year ago, according to estimates from IDC. The market researcher said this was the smallest year-over-year growth on record. It attributed the slowdown to saturation in developed markets, as well as declines at both Apple and Samsung, the two market leaders. IDC estimates Samsung's shipments fell 0.6 percent year-on-year to 81.9 million, while its market share was largely stable at 24.5 percent. Apple's share dropped to 15.3 percent from 18.3 percent a year ago, as its shipments fell 16.3 percent year-on-year. Huawei took third place with 8.2 percent of the market, as its shipments jumped 58.4 percent year-on-year to 27.5 million.