Samsung overtakes Apple as the world’s largest phone maker

Samsung has once again overtaken Apple as the world’s largest smartphone maker. In a major shakeup in the smartphone market, Samsung has dethroned Apple as the world’s largest smartphone maker, according to the latest report from IDC. Samsung’s ascent to the top spot was fueled by robust sales of its latest flagship, the Galaxy S24 series, propelling the company to a dominant 20.8% market share.

Meanwhile, Apple slipped to second place, holding a 17.3% share after shipping 50.1 million iPhones, down from 55.4 million in the same period last year. The decline in Apple’s shipments, approximately 10% in the first quarter of 2024, can be attributed to heightened competition from Android manufacturers vying for the top spot, as per IDC data released on Sunday.

Overall, global smartphone shipments saw a 7.8% increase, totaling 289.4 million units from January to March. Samsung’s surge to the top spot marks a swift turnaround just three months after Apple claimed the leading position in smartphone sales. This dynamic market landscape underscores the fierce competition and rapid shifts in consumer preferences.

Apple’s slip to second place follows a period of strong performance in the December quarter, during which it briefly surpassed Samsung as the world’s leading phone maker. However, the company’s swift decline underscores the volatility of the smartphone market, particularly in the face of stiff competition and evolving consumer preferences.

Xiaomi, a prominent Chinese smartphone maker, secured the third position with a 14.1% market share in the first quarter. Meanwhile, Samsung’s success can be attributed to the strong reception of its Galaxy S24 series, with the company shipping over 60 million phones during the period.

The competition in the smartphone industry remains fierce as manufacturers vie for dominance and strive to meet the ever-changing demands of consumers.

Recent data from Counterpoint indicates a significant uptick in global sales for Samsung’s Galaxy S24 smartphones, showing an 8% increase compared to the previous Galaxy S23 series during the first three weeks of availability.

However, Apple’s performance in the first quarter presents a contrasting picture. According to IDC, the tech giant shipped 50.1 million iPhones during this period, a decline from the 55.4 million units shipped in the same timeframe last year. Notably, Apple also faced challenges in China, with smartphone shipments shrinking by 2.1% in the final quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year.

“The drop underscores the challenges facing the U.S. firm in its third biggest market, as some Chinese companies and government agencies limit employees’ use of Apple devices, a measure that mirrors U.S. government restrictions on Chinese apps on security grounds,” Reuters reported.

This decline highlights the hurdles Apple is encountering in its third-largest market, as certain Chinese companies and government entities impose restrictions on the use of Apple devices among employees. These measures mirror similar restrictions imposed by the U.S. government on Chinese apps, citing security concerns.