Samsung retakes spot as top-selling phonemaker over Apple

Samsung ranked first among smartphone manufacturers in terms of sales in the first quarter, ahead of Apple. According to the report Industry research firm IDC made the announcement on Monday.

According to the report, global smartphone sales increased by 7.8% to 289.4 million units in the first three months of 2024. Samsung’s market share was 20.8 percent, compared to Apple’s 17.3 percent.

This quarter was a significant drop for Apple, with revenue down about 10%. Samsung’s sales were almost unchanged, with an overall decline of 0.7%.

According to IDC, Chinese manufacturers account for almost all of the growth in the smartphone market, with Xiaomi and Transsion occupying third and fourth place in the market. Xiaomi’s sales increased by a third compared to the same quarter, and Transsion’s sales increased by a whopping 88%.

Chinese brands have concentrated much of their market growth in developing countries, and Transsion has set its sights on the growing African market.

IDC Vice President Ryan Reese said in the report, “While Apple succeeded in taking the top spot by the end of 2023, Samsung is expected to reaffirm its position as the leading smartphone provider in the first quarter. was successful,” he said. “IDC expects these two companies to maintain their positions in the high-end market, but with Huawei’s resurgence in China and notable gains from Xiaomi, Transsion, OPPO/OnePlus, and vivo, both OEMs will We’ll probably be looking into areas to expand and diversify. ”

Samsung shipped about 60 million units in the first quarter, and Apple shipped about 50 million. Xiaomi is the third largest manufacturer with approximately 40 million units shipped, and no other company has more sales than approximately 25 million units.

“As the economy recovers, we will see the top companies gain market share while smaller brands struggle to gain position,” Reese said.

Apple’s poor numbers follow its first-ever quarterly revenue decline in the fourth quarter of last year. Sales decreased 5% in the fourth quarter due to a weak Chinese market and increased global competition.