Apple surpasses Samsung to become the leading global manufacturer of smartphones

Apple has overtaken Samsung to become the dominant player in the global smartphone market, a position Samsung had held for the past 12 years. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), Apple accounted for over 20% of phones shipped in the previous year. Samsung followed closely behind with a 19.4% market share, while Chinese brands Xiaomi, OPPO, and Transsion also made significant gains. Smartphone sales experienced a decline of more than 3% due to the pandemic, with nearly 1.2 billion units sold, the lowest figure in a decade. However, experts anticipate a recovery in the market this year. Despite facing regulatory challenges and competition from Huawei in China, Apple emerged as the "biggest winner," with positive annual growth and claiming the top spot in sales. Huawei, on the other hand, has focused on developing its own chips after being restricted from using US technology due to security concerns. Apple's success can be attributed to incentives like trade-in offers and interest-free financing plans, which have increased demand for premium devices. This shift in market dynamics is a setback for Samsung, which previously held the largest market share in memory chips, smartphones, and televisions. The company anticipates lower profits due to weak global demand for consumer electronics. Additionally, Samsung faces strong competition from cheaper Android models, particularly Transsion and Xiaomi, which are gaining popularity in price-conscious consumers and emerging markets. The IDC highlights that the smartphone market is entering an interesting phase, with a growing number of Android providers diversifying the market and consumers increasingly valuing foldable phones and AI capabilities.