Apple puts an end to its South Korean rival’s 12-year lead, while Xiaomi, Honor, and Google share the Android market
Apple has surpassed Samsung as the leading global smartphone seller. The iPhone, for the first time, claimed the title of the world’s best-selling smartphone, ending Samsung’s 12-year streak as the leader. Data from the International Data Corporation for 2023 reveals that the iPhone achieved this milestone by selling 234.6 million units, surpassing Samsung’s 226.6 million units.
The IDC reported that the US tech company held a 20.1% market share, surpassing Samsung’s 19.4%. This sales data predates the unveiling of Samsung’s latest models, anticipated at an event in California on Wednesday.
Market analysts, closely monitoring the industry, attributed Apple’s ascendancy to the triumph of high-end devices like the iPhone. They also highlighted a growing fragmentation in the market of Android-operated smartphones, pointing to lower-end competitors of Samsung such as Transsion and Xiaomi, along with Honor and Google.
Huawei’s well-received products in China contributed to the decline in Samsung’s sales, as noted by the IDC. The IDC reported a 3.2% global decrease in smartphone shipments to 1.17 billion units in 2023. However, the group expressed optimism, stating that the industry was rebounding after a sluggish period, with growth in the second half of the year solidifying expectations for recovery in 2024.
