Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi remained the world’s third-largest smartphone vendor by shipments in the first quarter, as the company shores up its position as a top brand in a market that reached double-digit growth after 10 quarters of sluggish or declining growth.
Global smartphone shipments were up 10 per cent year on year, reaching 296.2 million units from January to March, according to consultancy firm Canalys.
Samsung Electronics replaced Apple at the top of the list with a 20 per cent share of shipments, accounting for 60 million units. The iPhone maker had 16 per cent of the market, shipping 48.7 million units. Xiaomi’s 40.7 million units shipped gave it a 14 per cent market share for the quarter.
Apple’s iPhone sales in China plunge as Huawei reaches for the top
Xiaomi shipments, which include its sub-brand Poco, are up 33 per cent from the same period last year.
“Mass-market brands are riding the wave of emerging markets rebounding, while cautiously stocking components,” Canalys analyst Runar Bjørhovde said in a statement.
The strong performances of Beijing-based Xiaomi and Shenzhen-based Transsion, which came in fourth with 9 per cent market share, are “driven by strong shipments of their latest models into the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America markets”, he added.
Samsung’s smartphone and network business – its biggest revenue contributor – posted an operating profit of 3.5 trillion won (US$2.5 million) on sales of 33.5 trillion won for the quarter, aided by strong sales of the Galaxy S24 series smartphones, according to its latest earnings release.
Embedded artificial intelligence (AI) features in the Galaxy S24, which launched in January, have helped drive sales. “Samsung’s S24 launch reflects a pivotal moment in its AI and premium strategy, with the potential to reshape the industry,” Canalys senior analyst Sanyam Chaurasia said in a statement.
iPhone shipments fell 16 per cent year on year for the quarter. Apple’s decline comes as it faces headwinds in core markets, according to Canalys.
People look at the iPhone 15 Pro at an Apple store in Shanghai on September 22, 2023. Photo: Reuters
In China, the world’s largest smartphone market, Apple sales declined 19.1 per cent in the first quarter, with its market share in the country shrinking to 15.7 per cent from 20 per cent a year ago, according to Counterpoint, another market research firm.
Amid fierce competition in China, Apple ranked third in the country after Chinese manufacturers Vivo and Huawei spin-off Honor, which secured shares of 17.4 per cent and 16.1 per cent, respectively.
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