Apple is now the number one smart phone seller globally, beating Samsung for the first time since 2010. This shift in power comes as Apple reached an all-time high market share and secured the top position in the industry.
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), the global smartphone market faced some challenges in 2023, with a 3.2% drop in phone shipments compared to the previous year. However, things started looking up in the second half of the year, with a surprising 8.5% growth in the fourth quarter, exceeding earlier predictions.
“While we saw some strong growth from low-end Android players like Transsion and Xiaomi in the second half of 2023, stemming from rapid growth in emerging markets, the biggest winner is clearly Apple,” said IDC’s Worldwide Tracker team Research Director Nabila Popal. “Not only is Apple the only player in the top three to show positive growth annually, but also bags the number one spot annually for the first time ever. All this despite facing increased regulatory challenges and renewed competition from Huawei in China, its largest market. Apple’s ongoing success and resilience is in large part due to the increasing trend of premium devices, which now represent over 20% of the market, fuelled by aggressive trade-in offers and interest-free financing plans.”
The standout performer in this tough market was Apple. Despite the overall decline, Apple showed positive growth for the entire year, clinching the number one spot for the first time. IDC’s Nabila Popal credits Apple’s success to the increasing popularity of high-end phones, which now make up more than 20% of the market. Apple’s smart moves, like offering good trade-in deals and interest-free financing plans, played a crucial role in this achievement.
Apple’s victory is even more impressive considering the challenges it faced, including more rules and competition from Huawei in China, which is Apple’s biggest market. Despite these obstacles, Apple has proven to be resilient and adaptable in navigating the changing smartphone landscape.
Ryan Reith from IDC highlighted the bigger picture in the smartphone market. While Apple’s success contributed to Samsung slipping from the top spot, the larger Android space is changing too. Huawei is making a strong comeback in China, and other brands like OnePlus, Honor, and Google are bringing out affordable yet competitive phones. Additionally, the rise of foldable phones and talks about artificial intelligence on smartphones are adding more excitement to the smartphone world.
With Apple taking over as the top phone seller globally, it signals an interesting time for the smartphone industry. Samsung’s fall from the top spot shows how competitive the market is, with different companies striving for the top position and pushing the boundaries of technology. The future seems promising, with new innovations and intense competition shaping the smartphone landscape. (Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/apple-finally-beats-samsung-to-become-no-1-phone-seller-in-the-world-tecno-and-group-surges-in-2023-2489807-2024-01-17)
