Samsung Returns to the Top of the Smartphone Market

Samsung has regained its crown as the top smartphone seller worldwide, reclaiming the lead from Apple as Chinese competitors continue to close the gap, according to industry tracker International Data Corporation (IDC).

Samsung Overtakes Apple

Samsung, based in South Korea, surpassed Apple during the first quarter of this year as global smartphone shipments increased by nearly 8% to 289.4 million units. This marked the third consecutive quarter of growth in the global smartphone market, indicating a potential recovery from a sector-wide slump, according to IDC.

Ryan Reith, vice president of IDC’s Worldwide Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers team, expects leading smartphone companies to gain market share, while smaller brands may struggle to maintain their positions as the industry recovers.

Market Share Breakdown

In the first quarter, Samsung shipped 60.1 million smartphones, capturing nearly 21% of the market. Apple, on the other hand, shipped 50.1 million iPhones, securing just over 17% of the market. Apple’s smartphone shipments experienced a 9.6% decline compared to the previous quarter, while Samsung’s shipments saw a smaller decrease of less than 1%.

Meanwhile, China-based Xiaomi experienced a shipment growth of around 33%, reaching 40.8 million units, and Transsion saw an impressive 85% increase to 28.5 million units, placing them in third and fourth positions, respectively, in the overall smartphone market.

Market Predictions and Trends

“While Apple held the top spot at the end of 2023, Samsung has successfully reasserted itself as the leading smartphone provider in the first quarter,” said Reith. He anticipates that both Samsung and Apple will maintain their grip on the premium end of the market, while Chinese competitors aim to expand their sales.

Nabila Popal, research director at IDC’s Worldwide Tracker team, noted that there is a shift in power among the top five companies, which will likely continue as market players adapt their strategies in a post-recovery world. “Xiaomi is making a strong comeback from the significant declines it faced over the past two years,” she said, “and Transsion is becoming a stable presence in the top five with its aggressive growth in international markets.”

The competitive dynamics in the smartphone market continue to evolve, but for now, Samsung has once again taken the lead in a race that’s sure to keep heating up.