Smartphone Shipments Continued to Decline for Third Time in a Row: Studies

Smartphone shipments globally dipped as a lot as 11 % year-on-year within the first quarter of 2022, based on studies. That is the third consecutive quarter of annual decline by smartphone volumes in a row — amid part shortages which can be impacting provides in world areas. Nevertheless, regardless of the dip within the shipments, Samsung has continued to be the market chief, adopted by Apple and Xiaomi. The South Korean large has even managed to hit its highest world smartphone market share in 5 years within the final quarter.

According to technique consulting agency Technique Analytics, world smartphone shipments dropped 11 % year-on-year to 314 million models within the first quarter. Ongoing challenges together with provide constraints are believed to be the explanation impacting smartphone provides.

“In the meantime, unfavourable financial situations, geopolitical points, in addition to COVID-19 disruption (China rolling lockdown and so on.) continued to weaken customers’ demand on smartphones and different non-essential merchandise,” mentioned Linda Sui, Senior Director at Technique Analytics, in a ready assertion.

Much like Technique Analytics, analyst agency Counterpoint has reported that the worldwide smartphone market declined by seven % year-on-year, with whole shipments of 328 million models within the first quarter. Counterpoint analysts are contemplating the identical causes for the dip which were famous by researchers at Technique Analytics.

Smartphone shipments globally dipped 10.9 % year-on-year within the first quarter
Picture Credit score: Technique Analytics

 

Counterpoint additionally mentioned that the worldwide smartphone market had a seasonal decline of 12 % quarter-on-quarter within the first quarter. COVID resurgence originally of the quarter and the continuing Ukraine-Russia battle are believed to be amongst the important thing causes for the decline.

The report launched by Technique Analytics reveals that Samsung has continued to guide the market, although its shipments declined 2.7 % year-on-year to 74.5 million within the third quarter. The corporate grabbed a share of 23.8 %, which was its highest first quarter efficiency by market share since 2017.

Counterpoint’s report additionally reveals Samsung because the market chief, although its shipments are mentioned to have dropped three % year-on-year to 74 million models within the first quarter. The agency mentioned that Samsung was one among solely two top-five smartphone manufacturers to return near its pre-pandemic first quarter shipments.

The explanation behind the success of Samsung is believed to be the well-received buyer response for the Galaxy S22 fashions. Counterpoint mentioned that the brand new flagships helped the corporate drive a seven % quarter-on-quarter cargo progress.

After Samsung, Apple has retained its second place within the world smartphone market within the first quarter, with a share of 18.2 %, Technique Analytics studies. The corporate shipped 57 million iPhone models within the quarter and managed to mark a one % year-on-year progress.

Technique Analytics additionally mentioned that Apple captured the very best first quarter market share since 2013.

Counterpoint reveals that Apple’s shipments within the first quarter remained flat in comparison with the identical quarter final 12 months to 59 million models. The corporate confronted a decline of 1 % year-on-year, based on the agency. Nevertheless, robust demand for the iPhone 13 collection and the launch of its 5G-enabled iPhone SE (2022) helped Apple develop its market share to 18 % within the final quarter from 17 % within the first quarter of 2021.

Quarterly cargo of Apple additionally declined 28 % — primarily resulting from seasonality — based on Counterpoint.

Not like Samsung and Apple that each didn’t face a lot influence of the general decline, Chinese language manufacturers together with Xiaomi, Oppo (comprising each Oppo and OnePlus), and Vivo noticed a big hit — primarily because of the sluggish efficiency of their residence market.

In accordance with Technique Analytics, Xiaomi shipped 39 million smartphone models within the first quarter that helped seize a share of 12 % within the world market. Nevertheless, the market share of the corporate dropped two % from 14 % a 12 months in the past.

“Xiaomi suffered from the geopolitical uncertainties in Europe. The China and India market additionally delivered a combined bag for the Chinese language model,” mentioned Yiwen Wu, Senior Analyst at Technique Analytics.

The report by Counterpoint additionally reveals that Xiaomi’s world smartphone shipments declined by 20 % year-on-year to 39 million models within the first quarter. The agency additionally reveals a two % dip within the firm’s share from 14 % in the identical quarter final 12 months.

Counterpoint believes that the decline in Xiaomi’s market efficiency was brought on by the comparatively weak efficiency of the Redmi 9A and Redmi Notice 10S smartphones, together with chip shortages. The latter are mentioned to be hurting the Beijing-based firm “extra severely than different distributors” out there.

Following Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo additionally confronted a dip of their shipments. Technique Analytics reveals that Oppo (together with OnePlus) captured 10 % of the worldwide market, whereas Vivo had eight % within the first quarter.

Counterpoint’s report says that Oppo’s shipments declined by 19 % year-on-year to 31 million models within the final quarter, whereas Vivo noticed a decline of 19 % year-on-year to twenty-eight.6 million models.

Smartphone shipments dipped within the first quarter, although Samsung and Apple continued to guide the market
Picture Credit score: Counterpoint

 

Alongside Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo, Counterpoint mentioned that Honor emerged as a robust contender from China. The corporate that separated from Huawei noticed a 148 % year-on-year progress to 16 million models within the first quarter. It additionally obtained a seven % quarter-on-quarter progress.

Market share of Honor rose to 5 % within the quarter, up from 4 % within the final quarter and two % in the identical quarter final 12 months, based on Counterpoint.

Realme additionally managed to develop its shipments by 13 % year-on-year to 14.5 million models within the first quarter. The corporate, which is owned by BBK Electronics that additionally owns Oppo, Vivo, and OnePlus, noticed a large enlargement within the abroad market through the quarter, with a 163 % year-on-year progress in its shipments particularly coming from Europe. Nevertheless, world shipments of Realme dipped 30 % quarter-on-quarter.

Realme additionally emerged as the one model within the top-five gamers in India to expertise a year-on-year progress of 40 % within the first quarter, per the Counterpoint report.

Transsion Holdings, which owns Infinix, Tecno, and Itel manufacturers, additionally continued to develop out there, with a 23 % annual progress. This was primarily pushed by Infinix, which grew 76 % year-on-year and 4 % quarter-on-quarter, with its shipments growing in India in addition to the remainder of Asia Pacific and Center East and Africa, based on Counterpoint.

Tecno’s shipments additionally elevated by 28 % year-on-year, although Itel noticed a 3 % dip, the agency mentioned.

In accordance with a forecast made by Technique Analytics, world smartphone shipments would contract as much as two % year-on-year within the full-year 2022.

“This 12 months shall be a story of two halves. Geopolitical points, part shortages, value inflation, trade charge volatility, and COVID disruption will proceed to weigh on the smartphone market through the first half of 2022, earlier than the scenario eases within the second half resulting from COVID vaccines, rate of interest rises by central banks, and fewer provide disruption at factories,” mentioned Linda Sui, Senior Director at Technique Analytics.

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