In Q1 2024, Samsung has regained its position as the world’s largest smartphone manufacturer, surpassing Apple after a year-long hiatus. Apple had taken the lead in 2023, ending Samsung’s 13-year dominance in smartphone sales. The resurgence of Samsung can be attributed to the strong performance of its latest flagship, the Galaxy S24, which has been well-received in the market, particularly for its innovative Galaxy AI features.
According to preliminary figures from IDC, Samsung shipped 60.1 million smartphones in the first quarter of 2024, capturing a market share of 20.8%. Although this figure is slightly lower than the year-ago quarter, it still surpassed Apple’s Q1 2024 shipments of 50.1 million units, securing Samsung’s lead once again.
Galaxy S24 lineup announcement. The devices were very well received thanks to the new AI features.
The success of the Galaxy S24 series has been evident, with reports indicating significant sales growth in key markets such as the US and Europe. Sales have surged by 14% in the US and a remarkable 28% in the UK, Germany, and France, compared to the previous model, the Galaxy S23.
Meanwhile, Xiaomi has also seen substantial growth, with a 33.8% increase in sales, shipping 40.8 million smartphones and securing the third position with an 11.4% market share. Xiaomi’s success can be attributed to strong consumer interest in its Xiaomi 14 series, particularly in Chinese and European markets.
Furthermore, Transsion (the parent company of brands like Techno, Itel, and Infinix), experienced significant growth, with sales soaring by 84.9% to 28.5 million units.
Overall, the global smartphone market witnessed a 7.8% year-on-year increase in shipments, reaching 289.4 million units in Q1 2024. This marks the third consecutive quarter of growth, indicating a recovery from the post-pandemic slowdown.
Although Apple’s iPhone sales decline in China may hinder its chances of reclaiming the top spot from Samsung in the near future, Samsung faces formidable competition from Xiaomi and Huawei, both of which have seen rapid growth in recent months.
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