Samsung has overtaken Apple as the leading mobile devices provider, to occupy the top spot at the end of the first three months of this year-(Q1 2024).
- According to International Data Corporation(IDC), Samsung shipped 60.1 million smartphones between January and March 2024, followed by Apple (50.1 million), Xiaomi (40.8 million), Transsion (28.5 million) and OPPO (25.2 million).
- Samsung launched its latest flagship smartphone – Galaxy S24 series – at the beginning of 2024, which experts say could have boosted its sales figures.
- California-based Apple is betting on another change in the podium later this year when its iPhone 16 lineup comes fitted with AI technology.
Samsung now enjoys a market share of 20.8% followed by Apple (17.3%), Xiaomi (14.1%), Transsion (9.9%), and OPPO (8.7%). Other brands together control a market share of 29.3%.
IDC figures also show that the global smartphone market was up 7.8% year on year to 289.4 million units in Q1 2024, compared to 268.5 million in Q1 2023, a strong signal that the mobile phone market is firmly in a recovery mode.
Apple Shipments declined to 50.1 million in Q1 2024 from 55.4 million in Q1 2023. This decline is attributed to the bitter trade war between China and the US that has seen some Chinese firms and government agencies limit employees’ use of Apple devices. The US has also restricted the use of Chinese Apps, citing security concerns.
While IDC says it expects Samsung and Apple to maintain dominance of the high-end smartphone market, the recovery of Huawei in China, and notable gains from Xiaomi, Transsion, OPPO/OnePlus, and Vivo will likely rattle the market.
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