For the first time in history, Apple has surpassed Samsung to become the top smartphone manufacturer of the year, according to the IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. Although the data is preliminary and subject to change, another research agency, Canalys, also confirms Apple’s dominance in 2023. Apple’s total mobile shipments are reported to be 234.6 million, while Samsung shipped 226.6 million smartphones. Xiaomi, Oppo, and Transsion complete the top five with 145.9, 103.1, and 94.9 million smartphones shipped, respectively.
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This achievement marks a significant milestone for Apple, as it is the first time in 13 years that Samsung has not held the top spot in annual smartphone shipments. In 2010, Nokia led the market, followed by Samsung, LG Electronics, ZTE, and Research in Motion (manufacturers of BlackBerry devices). The fact that Apple did not even feature in the top five back then highlights the remarkable progress the company has made in the smartphone industry.
IDC’s Worldwide Tracker team research director, Nabila Popal, emphasizes Apple’s exceptional performance, stating, “Not only is Apple the only player in the Top 3 to show positive growth annually, but also bags the number 1 spot annually for the first time ever.” Popal attributes Apple’s ongoing success and resilience to the increasing popularity of premium devices, which now account for over 20% of the market. This growth is fueled by aggressive trade-in offers and interest-free financing plans.
While Apple played a significant role in dethroning Samsung, it faced fierce competition from other Android manufacturers such as Huawei, OnePlus, Honor, and Google. Canalys highlights Huawei’s “improving strength,” which could pose a challenge to Apple’s growth in the Chinese market. Last year, reports emerged that Huawei had managed to overcome US sanctions and incorporate an advanced 7nm processor capable of 5G speeds into its Mate 60 Pro smartphone, manufactured by Chinese chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC).
Despite an overall decline of 3.2% in smartphone shipments in 2023 compared to the previous year, there are signs of a market recovery. IDC reports an 8.5% year-on-year growth in shipments in the fourth quarter, while Canalys indicates an 8% growth after seven consecutive quarters of decline. These figures suggest a positive trend for the smartphone industry.
In conclusion, Apple’s achievement in surpassing Samsung as the leading smartphone manufacturer in 2023 is a significant milestone for the company. It demonstrates Apple’s ability to adapt to market trends and capture consumer demand for premium devices. However, Apple faces competition from other Android manufacturers, particularly Huawei, which poses a potential challenge in the Chinese market. The overall smartphone market is showing signs of recovery, with shipment growth in the fourth quarter and an end to the consecutive decline in shipments.
