The global smartphone market has shown a promising start in 2024, with shipments rising by 10% year-over-year to reach 296.2 million units in the first quarter. Samsung emerged as the leader in the market, delivering 60 million smartphones driven by the success of new mid-range Galaxy A models and the flagship Galaxy S24 series.
Apple, on the other hand, shipped 48.7 million iPhones during Q1, dropping back to second place due to a double-digit decline in units delivered. Despite this, Samsung’s Senior Analyst Sanyam Chaurasia highlighted Samsung’s return to the top spot as a pivotal moment in its AI and premium strategy that could reshape the industry.
With Samsung launching the Galaxy S24 a month earlier than its predecessor and shipping 13.5 million units in Q1, there was a significant growth of 35% year-over-year compared to the previous model. The success of the Galaxy S24 can be attributed to factors such as Galaxy AI, an enhanced customer experience through retail points, and a better time-to-market strategy.
Looking ahead, Xiaomi also had a strong quarter with global shipments up by 33% to 40.7 million units. Similarly, Transsion saw an impressive 86% annual gain in shipments to reach 28.6 million units in Q1. Oppo rounded out the top five with Q1 shipments of 25 million units.
As we move forward into the rest of 2024 and beyond, continued interest from consumers in AI features may drive further growth in smartphone shipments worldwide. The market’s recovery seems promising if manufacturers continue to innovate with new AI-driven technologies that enhance user experience and competitiveness within the industry.
