Apple has secured the top position as the world’s largest phonemaker, surpassing Samsung for the first time in 12 years, according to data from the International Data Corporation (IDC).
With more than a fifth of phones shipped globally last year, Apple dominated the market, selling over 234 million phones. Samsung, with a 19.4% market share, trailed behind, followed by Chinese phonemakers Xiaomi, OPPO, and Transsion.
Smartphone sales experienced a decline of over 3% from the previous year, with nearly 1.2 billion smartphones sold. This marks the lowest sales volume in a decade, attributed to economic challenges and high-interest rates during the pandemic. However, the IDC anticipates a market recovery in the coming year.
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Despite the overall downturn, Apple’s positive annual growth solidified its position as the “biggest winner” in the smartphone market. Apple’s success is noteworthy, considering increased regulatory challenges and competition from Huawei in China, its largest market.
Huawei, facing restrictions on purchasing US technology, has made progress in producing its own chips. Meanwhile, Apple’s trade-in programs and interest-free financing plans have contributed to the demand for premium devices.
The shift is a setback for Samsung, which has historically held the top spot as the leading manufacturer of memory chips, smartphones, and televisions. Samsung recently warned of lower-than-expected profits due to weak global demand for consumer electronics.
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Competition from more affordable Android models, such as Transsion and Xiaomi, has intensified, attracting price-conscious consumers and gaining traction in emerging markets.
The IDC notes that the smartphone market is entering an intriguing phase, with a growing number of Android providers diversifying the market. Customers are increasingly prioritizing features like foldable phones and AI capabilities.
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