Smartphone makers could be in for a rough ride relative to what they’ve been accustomed to in previous years. Global shipments have dropped by 13% year over year to 269.8 million units in the first quarter of 2023, according to preliminary data from market-research firm Canalys.
Among the industry’s top smartphone vendors, only Apple saw sales jump, shipping 58 million units and accounting for 21% of the market from January to March 2023. The iPhone manufacturer recorded a modest Q1 2023 growth of 3% despite facing tighter competition in the high-end segment and shifting production away from China due to the country’s strict COVID-19 control measures.
Samsung led the charge worldwide and regained its pole position with 22% of the total market, but shipments fell by 18%, in part because of its underperforming entry-level business. It may have fallen further had it not been for the South Korean company’s recent product launches. Samsung was followed by Apple in second place.
Market performance the top 5 smartphone brands in Q1 2023 based on by Canalys’ research
Chinese companies Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo held the third, fourth, and fifth spots, in that order. Third-placer Xiaomi recorded 30.5 million smartphone shipments throughout Q1 2023 and captured a global market share of 11%. The fourth place on the podium was earned by OPPO after it shipped 26.6 million phones globally, accounting for 10% of the market. vivo came in fifth with 20.9 million shipments and a 8% market share.
Canalys expects the worldwide market to continue to shrink in 2023, maintaining its forecast of marginal declines for the rest of the year. On a positive note, the market could gain momentum in the second half of the year, as retailer inventories are replenished by higher production volumes. Check out the report here.
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