Written by Juan Ríos
Apple Loses Top Spot in Global Smartphone Market
In the fiercely competitive mobile phone market, Apple has faced a significant setback. According to research firm IDC, the company is no longer the leading seller of mobile phones worldwide.
For years, Apple had maintained a strong rivalry with Samsung, surpassing it in 2023 and reclaiming the title of the largest seller of mobile devices. However, it has once again relinquished this position, allowing the South Korean company to regain the top spot.
Factors Behind Apple’s Decline and the Rise of Other Brands
Reports indicate that iPhone shipments have declined by 10% in the first quarter of 2024. This drop is primarily attributed to increased competition from Android phone manufacturers.
During the period from January to March, global smartphone shipments increased by 7.8%, totaling 289.4 million units. In this context, Samsung has overtaken Apple to claim the top spot, with a market share of 20.8%, driven mainly by the success of the new Galaxy S24 series models.
Apple’s loss of leadership comes after a strong performance in the December quarter when the company surpassed Samsung as the world’s largest phone manufacturer, mainly due to the launch of the iPhone 15. However, the company is now back in second place, with a market share of 17.3%.
Although the company did not have any new releases during that period, which may have impacted its market position, the decline in sales compared to the previous year is evident. In the first quarter of 2023, the company shipped 55.4 million units, while this year the number decreased to 50.1 million phones, representing a 2.1% reduction.
In contrast, Samsung not only regained the top spot in sales but also increased sales by 8% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
Rise of Chinese Brands and Impact on Apple
The ascent of Chinese brands like Huawei and Xiaomi has also contributed to Apple’s decline in the smartphone market. These companies have gained market share due to their competitive devices and pricing strategies.
Xiaomi, a leading smartphone manufacturer in China, has solidified its position as the third most important manufacturer in the smartphone market, with a market share of 14.1% in the first quarter of 2024.
Future Prospects for Apple in 2024
Despite the figures revealed by IDC, Apple still has a long way to go in 2024. The company has not yet made any mobile phone releases in 2024, which could help change the current situation.
The Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will take place in June, an event where the company traditionally unveils software updates for iPhone, iPad, and other devices.
It is expected that Apple will announce iOS 18 and the introduction of more artificial intelligence features to its devices, which could incentivize users to consider the available phone models in the market.
Additionally, September traditionally hosts the event dedicated to the company’s new phone, with the announcement of the iPhone 16, for which no confirmed details are currently available. However, this is the most crucial moment for the company, allowing it to boost sales towards the end of the year. infobae.com
