The number of smartphone shipments in the first quarter of 2022 highlights the ranking of manufacturers for this start of the year. Apple is comfortably in second place, but several lengths from its big rival.
Despite an overall decline in the number of smartphone shipments worldwide of 8.9%, Apple is the only manufacturer in the ranking to be up from last year. But it takes more to dethrone Samsung, firmly clinging to its throne.
Chinese manufacturers in ambush
Thus, Samsung remains number one among smartphone suppliers in the world with 73.6 million mobiles shipped, or 23.4% market share in the first quarter of 2022, down 1.2%. In second place, we find Apple with 56 million smartphones shipped, or 18% market share, up 2.2%.
Samsung’s long-term entry-level and mid-range strategy therefore seems to be paying off. The high-end segment, on the other hand, is head and shoulders dominated by Apple. Samsung intends to regain market share from its direct competitor thanks to its future Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4.
The rest of the top 5 is occupied by Chinese brands which have suffered much more than their Korean and American competitors. Thus, Xiaomi is 3rd with 12.7% market share, down 17.8%. The finding is even harder for OPPO, 4th in the ranking, with 8.7% of the ranking and a drop in shipments of 26.8%. Vivo brings up the rear with 8.1% market share, down 27.7%. All the other manufacturers combined represent 29.1% of the market share.
Smartphone shipments down
Figures from the International Data Corporation (IDC) show an 8.9% drop in shipments compared to the first quarter of last year. A figure not really surprising considering that the smartphone market has been in decline for three consecutive quarters. Should we conclude that the golden age of smartphones is definitely over?
IDC research director Nabila Popal attributes the decline to problems with the supply of key components used in the design of the phones, as well as the uncertainty created by the war between Russia and Ukraine. Add to that high inflation which leads to a drop in consumption, particularly in China, and you have an unfavorable market situation.
For Ryan Reith, vice-president of IDC, Samsung and Apple have managed to hold their own by managing the challenges related to component supply chains better than their competitors. It will be necessary to wait for a stabilization of the economy to see the smartphone sector recover.
Brands are now counting on their best smartphones expected by the end of the year to relaunch the machine and convince consumers to change phones.
Source :
Bankless Times