In a surprising turn of events, Apple emerged as the top smartphone manufacturer worldwide last year, surpassing Samsung for the first time ever. According to IDC and Canalys, Apple shipped 229.2 million iPhone units in 2023, edging out Samsung’s 225.4 million Galaxy handsets. This marked a significant shift from the previous year when Samsung outsold Apple by 25 million units.
Apple’s global market share for the iPhone rose from 19% to 20% in 2023, while Samsung saw a decline from 22% to 20%. However, recent reports from Counterpoint Research suggest that Samsung has reclaimed its position as the leader in the worldwide smartphone market this year. Strong sales of Galaxy phones in the U.S. and Europe have propelled Samsung back to the top spot.
In February alone, Samsung sold 19.69 million handsets, capturing a 20% global market share. Meanwhile, Apple sold 17.41 million iPhone units during the same period, securing an 18% share of the global smartphone market.
Researcher Kim Rok-ho praised Samsung’s comeback, attributing it to the positive response to the Galaxy S24 series in key markets like the U.S. and Europe. Notably, Samsung dominated Europe with a 34% market share in February and saw its U.S. market share rise to 36%.
The release of the flagship Galaxy S24 line in January played a crucial role in Samsung’s resurgence this year. The series introduced innovative AI features such as real-time language translation during phone conversations and Circle to Search functionality.
Looking back at last year’s statistics, Apple held a leading 20.1% share of the global smartphone market according to IDC, surpassing Samsung’s declining share of 19.4%. Despite these fluctuations, both companies continue to innovate and compete fiercely for dominance in the ever-evolving telecommunications industry.
At Phones Canada, we’re excited to see how this ongoing rivalry between Apple and Samsung drives innovation and benefits consumers worldwide as they continue to push boundaries and redefine what is possible in mobile technology. Stay tuned for more updates on the latest trends and developments in smartphones!
