The latest data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker reveals a notable shift in the global smartphone landscape in the first quarter of 2024. Apple faced a significant setback with a decline in iPhone shipments. Meanwhile, Samsung reclaimed its position as the leading smartphone provider.
iPhone Shipments Drop in the Global Smartphone Market
Despite an overall increase in smartphone shipments by 7.8% year over year, Apple did not record good results. According to IDC’s preliminary results, Apple’s iPhone shipments fell to 50.1 million units in the first quarter of 2024. This represents a decline of 9.6% compared to the same period last year. Moreover, this downturn in iPhone shipments contributed to Apple’s reduced market share. The latter dropped to 17.3% from 20.7% in the first quarter of 2023.
Samsung’s Leadership in the Smartphone Market
In contrast, Samsung saw a slight decrease in its smartphone shipments. Overall, 60.1 million units shipped in the first quarter of 2024. However, the company’s market share increased to 20.8%, allowing the tech giant to reclaim its position as the leading smartphone provider globally.
Samsung’s ability to regain its dominance in the market can be attributed to its diverse product portfolio and strategic positioning across various market segments. With a strong foothold in both high-end and mid-range smartphone categories, Samsung has effectively catered to the diverse needs of consumers worldwide.
Emerging Trends and Market Dynamics
The shift in smartphone market dynamics underscores several emerging trends and challenges faced by leading smartphone manufacturers. While Apple and Samsung continue to dominate the high-end segment, the resurgence of competitors such as Xiaomi poses a significant threat to their market dominance.
Xiaomi, in particular, has witnessed remarkable growth. Its smartphone shipments reached 40.8 million units in the first quarter of 2024, marking a staggering 33.8% year-over-year.
