Apple surpasses Samsung to become the leading smartphone vendor

With a 20% market share in 2023, Apple overthrew Samsung Electronics, which had been selling smartphones for 12 years, as the world’s biggest smartphone vendor, according to a forecast by International Data Corp.

According to preliminary data from IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, Samsung had a 19.4% market share at the end of the year, followed by Xiaomi, Oppo, and Transsion from China.

The shift in the rankings follows a challenging year in which consumers delayed upgrading their smartphones and opted for less expensive models as a result of rising inflation and unstable economic conditions.

The world’s largest smartphone market, China, has seen a slower-than-expected rebound, which has had a negative impact on global phone sales.

IDC data shows that last year’s phone shipments were up 3.7% for iPhones and down 13.6% for Samsung.

According to Amber Liu of research firm Canalys, Samsung lost market share in the low-end category while concentrating on the mid-to high-end segment for profitability.

But in China, low-cost Chinese manufacturers and a resurgent Huawei are putting pressure on Apple. In an effort to draw in customers, the manufacturer of iPhones is giving discounts of up to 5% on some models within the nation.