Global Phone Shipments Drop by 7.8% in 1Q24, Samsung Takes Lead

According to the International Data Corporation's (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker released on April 15, 2024, global phone shipments witnessed a 7.8% year-over-year decline to 289.4 million units in the first quarter of 2024 (1Q24). This downturn saw Apple slipping behind while Samsung emerged as the market leader.

Ryan Reith, IDC's group vice president of Worldwide Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers, noted the ongoing recovery in the smartphone sector, with optimism gradually rising among major brands.

Despite Apple securing the top spot at the close of 2023, Samsung reclaimed its position as the leading smartphone provider in 1Q24. While both companies are expected to maintain dominance in the high-end market, IDC anticipates Huawei's resurgence in China, coupled with significant gains from Xiaomi, Transsion, OPPO/OnePlus, and vivo, to drive competition. As the market rebounds, IDC predicts larger companies will increase their share while smaller brands struggle to find footing.

Nabila Popal, research director with IDC's Worldwide Tracker team, highlighted two key trends shaping the smartphone market's recovery. Firstly, consumers are opting for higher-priced devices, anticipating longer usage periods. Secondly, there's a shift in power among the top five companies, likely to continue as strategies adapt post-recovery.

Xiaomi is notably making a strong return after experiencing significant declines in recent years. Transsion is solidifying its position in the top five with aggressive growth in international markets. Despite both top players experiencing negative growth in 1Q24, Samsung appears to be in a stronger overall position compared to previous quarters, according to Popal.