Top 5 Global Smartphone Brands in the First Quarter of 2024
Recently, the research firm IDC released the list of global smartphone shipments for the first quarter of 2024. The top five positions were held by Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, Transsion, and OPPO. Notably, Vivo did not make it into the top five this time, with Transsion securing the fourth spot. Samsung led the pack with 60.1 million units shipped, commanding a 20.8% market share, though experiencing a 7% year-on-year decline.
In various major markets worldwide, apart from China, Samsung has a significant presence in Europe, America, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, consistently landing among the top five players.
Apple’s iPhone shipped 50.1 million units this quarter, holding a 17.3% market share. However, there was a 9.6% decline compared to last year. The relatively modest innovation in iPhone products over the past few years might be the primary reason for this decline. Nonetheless, iPhone continues to perform exceptionally well in the Chinese market, boasting unparalleled brand reputation. With Huawei facing challenges due to US restrictions, had it not been for Huawei’s setbacks, its premium smartphones could have maintained a prominent position in the global market. Hence, despite the decrease, iPhone still secures the second position.
Xiaomi claimed the third spot globally this quarter, shipping 40.8 million units, with a 14.1% market share. Surging by an impressive 33.8% year-on-year, Xiaomi demonstrated average performance in the domestic market this quarter but has been excelling consistently in the global market. The cost-effective Redmi series has been particularly popular, enjoying significant success in Europe, India, Southeast Asia, among other regions, thus, achieving such remarkable results.
Transsion, holding the fourth position, shipped 28.5 million units, capturing a 9.9% market share, marking an impressive 84.9% year-on-year surge. This domestic brand focused on the African market from its inception and now claims at least half of the market share in Africa. Additionally, with the launch of a music video website and various promotions, Transsion introduced a range of cost-effective products tailored to African users’ preferences. Furthermore, it has secured a significant position in the markets of India and Southeast Asia.
OPPO shipped 25.2 million units, holding an 8.7% market share, showing an 8.5% decline compared to last year. Other brands collectively shipped 84.7 million units. Aside from the top five, it is estimated that Vivo could capture a third of this share. Although Vivo dropped out of the top five, its shipment volume still exceeds 20 million units.
The current trends in the top five global smartphone brands reveal a fierce competition among the three major domestic brands against Apple and Samsung. As Huawei undergoes a challenging period, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo have consistently secured positions in the top five. With Vivo temporarily exiting the top five and Transsion rising, Chinese smartphone brands continue to demonstrate their strength, suggesting significant growth potential. The expectations are high for domestic brands to deliver even better performances in the future.