Apple Maintains Dominance in Global Smartphone Market with High-End Models

According to recent data from analysis firm Counterpoint, Apple has maintained its dominance in the global smartphone market during the first quarter of 2024. The iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 are leading in sales, reaching 4.4% and 4.3% of total sales respectively, followed by the iPhone 15 Pro with 3.7% and the iPhone 14 with 1.9%, alongside the Galaxy S24 Ultra at 1.9%.

Counterpoint observed that the most expensive models in each series, the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra, were not only among the most costly but also the most popular. The group of top ten best-selling smartphones this year includes models like Galaxy S24 and several from Samsung’s Galaxy A series, but not Galaxy S23+ or S24+. However, Samsung’s Ultra models have seen an increase in sales due to positive reception for the Galaxy S24 series since its global launch in January. In fact, Canalys data shows that Samsung shipped a record-breaking 13.5 million units of the Galaxy S24 globally in Q1, up by 35% compared to Q1 of last year.

Counterpoint notes that consumers are holding onto their smartphones for longer periods due to limited differentiation in updates, leading them to opt for high-end smartphones to ensure their devices remain technologically relevant for longer periods. Looking ahead, Counterpoint predicts that OEMs will focus on smaller portfolios with premium features such as GenAI to capture a larger share of total smartphone sales in future quarters.

According to Counterpoint’s analysis, Apple shipped a total of approximately 90 million units worldwide during Q1 of this year, down by about 6% compared to Q1 of last year. However, it still holds a significant market share with around one-fifth (20%) of all phones sold globally during this period. Xiaomi follows closely behind with around one-fourth (26%) of all phones sold worldwide during Q1 this year while Oppo shipped about one-tenth (8%) units worldwide during this period.

Overall, Counterpoint’s data suggests that while there is still competition in the marketplace from other manufacturers such as Samsung and Xiaomi, Apple remains a dominant force in terms of popularity and market share within certain segments like high-end models.