Data from Stocklytics shows that Apple (AAPL, Financial) has once more remained the biggest supplier of smartphones worldwide, with a market command of 27.7 % for two successive years. It topped the global tech giant Samsung by 4.5%, and this is after operating in a closely contested industry.
Low-cost iPhones, such as the iPhone SE or mid-range smartphones did not have much impact on Apple's success. However, premium iPhone models, especially the iPhone Pro models, contributed significantly to its success. The extension of the product portfolio, better execution of market segmentation, and supply chain management, especially in crucial areas of operations such as India, have enabled Apple to stay a step ahead of its South Korean competitor.
November saw Apple retain the lion's share, 27.7%, for the 24th straight month after years of Samsung's market dominance. Apple's market share is currently 1.5 % below its all-time high of 29.2 % in December last year, but it has risen by 4.2% in the last decade. Samsung has seen its stake fall to 23.2% this year, while it had 33% of the units in 2019.
This also means that the difference in smartphone shipments between the two companies is considerably smaller now. Apple sent out 151 million smartphones in the initial nine months of 2024, which is 20 million behind Samsung, the closest gap in the smartphone market to date.
On the other hand, four Chinese brands, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and Realme, together sell more than 36% of all smartphones globally. These brands have trimmed market shares by delivering inexpensive, performance-oriented equipment, especially in areas that remain sensitive to price, and now Huawei controls only 2.5% of the market.
