In a historic shift, Apple has surpassed Samsung to become the world’s leading smartphone seller, marking the end of the South Korean company’s 12-year dominance. Data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) for 2023 revealed that Apple’s iPhone secured the top spot with 234.6 million units sold, outpacing Samsung’s 226.6 million units. Apple now commands a 20.1% market share, surpassing Samsung’s 19.4%, according to the IDC. This achievement is attributed to the success of Apple’s premium devices, notably the iPhone.
The data, predating Samsung’s latest model releases, also highlights a shifting landscape in the Android market. The market is becoming more fragmented, with emerging players like Transsion, Xiaomi, Honor, and Google challenging low-end Samsung rivals. The IDC notes that the well-received offerings from Huawei in China contributed to Samsung’s decline in sales.
Despite a 3.2% decline in global smartphone shipments to 1.17 billion units in 2023, the IDC indicates that the industry is on the path to recovery. The growth observed in the second half of the year has solidified expectations for a rebound in 2024, signifying positive momentum for the smartphone market.
