Tech

Apple temporarily becomes the world’s leading smartphone brand again, ahead of Samsung

Apple once again becomes the leader in the world smartphone market in the fourth quarter of 2021. The Cupertino company benefits, as every year, from an acceleration in its sales on the occasion of the marketing of the new iPhones and the end-of-year celebrations. Samsung thus takes second place. Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo complete the Top 5 brands that have sold the most smartphones.

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The end of the year is an opportunity for all manufacturers to sell smartphones. There’s Thanksgiving. There is Black Friday. And there is Christmas. Some brands benefit more than others. This is the case of Apple which, traditionally, rises to the top of the global ranking of smartphone brands in the fourth quarter of 2021. Indeed, according to Canalys, the Cupertino company’s new iPhones have met with great commercial success, propelling the American brand above 20% market share, while it was still in second position three months earlier, against a background of component shortages.

Apple returns to world No. 1 ahead of Samsung, but it’s only temporary

Let’s get into the details. Apple is therefore on the first step of the podium with 22% market share. Note, however, that the Cupertino company loses a point compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. Samsung is relegated to second position, with 20% market share, despite a strong increase in its market share of 3 points. The Korean giant is the only one in the world’s Top 5 to increase its market share in the fourth quarter of 2021.

In the second half of the table, we find Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo, without surprise. Obviously not Huawei. Xiaomi represents 12% of the global smartphone market, unchanged over the year. Oppo, by accumulating the sales of OnePlus (and certainly those of Realme too), keeps its fourth place with 9% of the market (down 1 point). Vivo, freshly arrived on the French market at the end of 2020, retains fifth place in the ranking with 8% of the market. It also loses a point compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.

Apple and Samsung increase their dominance over Christmas gifts

However, we observe a significant gap between the brands known to all and those that are beginning to impose themselves. During the fourth trimester, Apple and Samsung therefore together represent 42% of the market, compared to 40% over the same period in 2020. The three Chinese brands, meanwhile, hold 29%, compared to 31% a year earlier. The Samsung and Apple brands therefore continue to be safe haven brands for end-of-year gifts. More than in 2020.

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