In the first quarter of 2024, Samsung has displaced Apple to clinch the top spot among smartphone providers.
Samsung Stears Ahead of Apple to Clinch Top Spot
As per the latest data released by the International Data Corporation (IDC) that though Apple was at the top spot as of end of 2023, but Samsung has now taken over the number one spot. As per the reports, the shipments of global smartphone have surged by 7.8% YoY to reach 289.4 million units in the first quarter of 2024.
Since its latest iPhone generation in September 2023, Apple struggled to retain its sales numbers in China, which is also world’s biggest smartphone market.
As per the report, shipments of iPhones to China dropped by 5 million than a year ago.
Though the industry struggles due to macroeconomic challenges in several markets, though third consecutive quarter of shipment growth signifies positive indicator of good recovery.
Ryan Reith, group vice-president with IDC’s Worldwide Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers while speaking about overall smartphone market and other brands trying to claim the pie, he said that “While Apple managed to capture the top spot at the end of 2023, Samsung successfully reasserted itself as the leading smartphone provider in the first quarter. While IDC expects these two companies to maintain their hold on the high end of the market, the resurgence of Huawei in China, as well as notable gains from Xiaomi, Transsion, OPPO/OnePlus, and Vivo will likely have both OEMs looking for areas to expand and diversify”.
The Overall Smartphone Market
Amid the market recovery, a surge is reported in the top companies whereas the smaller names struggle to make a mark in the market.
Speaking about turbulence and resurgence of smartphone market, Nabila Popal, Research director with IDC’s Worldwide Tracker team said, “The smartphone market is emerging from the turbulence of the last two years, both stronger and changed.”
He said that consumers prefer more expensive devices now a days and with average selling prices of consumers reflecting consistent growth in value.
Popal said that “Xiaomi is coming back strong from the large declines experienced over the past two years and Transsion is becoming a stable presence in the Top 5 with aggressive growth in international markets. In contrast, while the Top 2 players both saw negative growth in the first quarter, it seems Samsung is in a stronger position overall than they were in recent quarters”.
