Samsung has reclaimed its title as the world’s leading smartphone manufacturer in the first quarter of 2024, surpassing Apple, as reported by the International Data Corporation (IDC).
During this period, Apple experienced a decline of approximately 10% in smartphone shipments, largely attributed to intensified competition from Android manufacturers vying for dominance.
Global smartphone shipments showed a 7.8% increase, totaling 289.4 million units from January to March. Samsung secured a market share of 20.8%, dethroning Apple, whose market share stood at 17.3%.
In a reversal from the previous year, Samsung surpassed Apple, which had overtaken the top spot in 2023 with a market share of 20.8% by the end of that year.
The top five smartphone manufacturers saw Samsung leading the pack with 60.1 million shipments, followed by Apple with 50.1 million units in the first quarter of 2024.
Xiaomi, a prominent Chinese smartphone maker, claimed the third spot with a market share of 14.1%, shipping 40.8 million smartphones during the same period.
Transsion, another Chinese company owning Tecno, Infinix, and iTel brands, secured the fourth position by shipping 28.5 million devices in Q1 2024.
Oppo rounded out the top five with 25.2 million shipments, capturing 8.7% of the market share between January and March.
Despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges in various markets, IDC highlighted a steady increase in smartphone shipments for the third consecutive quarter, signaling a resilient recovery in the industry.
Ryan Reith, Group Vice President of IDC’s Worldwide Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers, emphasized the optimism among top brands as the smartphone market continues to rebound.
Reith noted that while Apple briefly held the top spot in 2023, Samsung’s resurgence in Q1 2024 signifies a competitive landscape where major players like Huawei, Xiaomi, Transsion, Oppo, and Vivo are poised for growth and market diversification.
Nabila Popal, Research Director at IDC’s Worldwide Tracker team, corroborated Reith, pointing out two key trends: the increase in device value and average selling prices as consumers opt for longer-lasting, premium devices, and a shifting power dynamic among the top five smartphone manufacturers.