Samsung Regains Top Spot as Apple's iPhone Shipments Fall in Q1 2024

[MacRumors]

Apple's iPhone shipments decreased by nearly 10% globally in the first quarter of 2024, hit by rapid growth in shipments by rival Chinese vendors, based on data provided by the International Data Corporation (IDC).

According to the IDC report, Apple's shipments fell 9.6% to 50.1 million units in the first quarter, down from 55.4 million units in the same quarter the previous year. Apple experienced the most significant annual decline among the top five smartphone brands covered in the report.

Samsung reclaimed its position as the market leader, which it had lost to Apple the previous year, by capturing a 20.8% market share with shipments of about 60.1 million units, roughly the same as last year. In 2023, its market share was 22.5% during the same period.

In contrast, after having last year overtaken Samsung to become the top smartphone manufacturer for the first time, Apple experienced a decline in market share from 20.7% to 17.3%.

"While IDC expects these two companies to maintain their hold on the high end of the market, the resurgence of Huawei in China, as well as notable gains from Xiaomi, Transsion, OPPO/OnePlus, and vivo will likely have both OEMs looking for areas to expand and diversify," said Ryan Reith, group vice president at IDC Worldwide Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers.

Apple has struggled to sustain interest in its flagship smartphone lineup in China since the company released its iPhone 15 series in September, which came just weeks after Huawei debuted its highly popular Mate 60 series. Interest in iPhones has also been impacted by a Beijing-backed ban from the offices of a huge number of state-owned enterprises in power generation, seaport construction, mining, manufacturing, education, and investment markets.

Apple's drop in shipments came during a time when global first-quarter smartphone shipments actually rose 7.8% year-on-year to 289.4 million units. It was the third consecutive quarter of shipment growth across the worldwide market, according to IDC.

Article Link: Samsung Regains Top Spot as Apple's iPhone Shipments Fall in Q1 2024

 

[contacos]

and as an iPod Touch and iPhone user since iPhone 3G, I hope it keeps on declining further. Apple needs to be forced to wake up gain 👏🏼 you can release the same phone only so many times.

- sent from iPhone 15 Plus

 

[bsbeamer]

This will not help the DOJ monopoly argument.

 

[Iconoclysm]

and as an iPod Touch and iPhone user since iPhone 3G, I hope it keeps on declining further. Apple needs to be forced to wake up gain 👏🏼 you can release the same phone only so many times.

- sent from iPhone 15 Plus

Have you actually looked at the "sameness" from Samsung's phones?

 

[Seanm87]

Thing is, no smartphone vendor is doing anything interesting anymore. Smartphones are basically mature. It will come down to who has the best AI integration over the next few years IMO

 

[I7guy]

I guess a quarter decline is enough for a future “apple is doomed” comment.Want ti see how the year ends with the iPhone 16.

 

[Iconoclysm]

Thing is, no smartphone vendor is doing anything interesting anymore. Smartphones are basically mature. It will come down to who has the best AI integration over the next few years IMO

I'm really not betting on the AI integration being a differentiator either. That battle isn't going to be fought on the smartphone.

 

[Dwalls90]

Competition is good for everyone including iPhone users. Here's to hoping the iPhone 16 is a phone worth upgrading for to keep up with the competition.

 

[Gengar]

Should’ve really launched that Product Red one.

 

[hoorayforhollywood]

This isn't bad news for the Apple fan at all. They're going to have to come up with something awesome.

 

[Rogifan]

I remember when Apple stock would tank on reports like this but this morning the stock is down less than 1% pre-market. Wall Street really is on the AI hype train. I’m still unsure how WWDC can be all about AI if it’s new hardware that will be enabling it all (which is what Wall Street seems to believe) as there are zero rumors of new hardware being announced at WWDC (certainly not new iPhones).

 

[TonnyM]

But Apple has monopoly 🙄.

 

[User 6502]

But Apple has monopoly 🙄.

No, they don’t. They are however a gatekeeper, which is the requirement for the stricter EU legislation.

 

[antiprotest]

Tim Cook should ask Siri how to get back on top. Oh wait, he needs to ask Gemini because Apple has no AI.

 

[progx]

Since the entire industry is basically flat, this isn’t going to do much to spur anything crazy. From either manufacturer.

Apple has the next 2-3 iPhones already laid out in production planning, doubt much change from whatever their plans will be for these devices. Probably around that time, Apple and Samsung will have swapped again; unless OnePlus or another decent Android handset maker enters the fray.

Would imagine Samsung has their gimmicks laid out too.

 

[contacos]

Have you actually looked at the "sameness" from Samsung's phones?

I have a Galaxy A53 (I think) for app testing purposes from work. I actually like it. A combination of iOS / Android would be amazing.

For example I prefer the keyboard of iOS but I prefer all the Home Screen customizations on android

 

[a m u n]

Samsung primarily sells budget-friendly phones, whereas Apple does not. It’s expected for Samsung to sell more units when their phones are priced at $200.

 

[NIKKG]

I know Apple lost my sale when they went to esim only in the US. I refuse to purchase a phone that doesn't accept a physhical sim card.

 

[coffeemilktea]

Apple has struggled to sustain interest in its flagship smartphone lineup in China since the company released its iPhone 15 series in September, which came after Huawei debuted its highly popular Mate 60 series.

Political issues aside, it probably doesn't help that Chinese phone manufacturers in general — not just Huawei — are putting out some pretty good phones with really good cameras and great batteries... meanwhile, Apple is about to release the iPhone 12SSSS this year.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

and as an iPod Touch and iPhone user since iPhone 3G, I hope it keeps on declining further. Apple needs to be forced to wake up gain 👏🏼 you can release the same phone only so many times.

- sent from iPhone 15 Plus

Apparently, no one sent you the memo that the iPhone and smartphones in general are mature products. There will no longer be any truly groundbreaking additions such as internet capabilities, maps, rear camera, front facing camera, digital assistant etc. Expect most if not all improvements to be incremental from now on. But hey at least this year we can talk about the new exciting colors for 2024.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

But Apple has monopoly 🙄.

They don't they just have lots of sketchy business practices.

 

[deaglecat]

Apple has only so much engineering talent and many are working on AVP. Don't expect miracles in iPhone innovation (and hence market share growth) anytime soon.

 

[MrSegundus]

Have you actually looked at the "sameness" from Samsung's phones?

What sameness? They’re way ahead in the AI game this year vs previous years.

Meanwhile, Apple has been using the same exact design language since the iPhone 11 with very little software changes.

 

[vertsix]

Good. Competition is good to keep Apple in check and for them to deliver better future products. This is what healthy competition looks like.

 

[Iconoclysm]

What sameness? They’re way ahead in the AI game this year vs previous years.

Meanwhile, Apple has been using the same exact design language since the iPhone 11 with very little software changes.

FYI, this year is 2024 and Apple's 2024 entry has not released yet...you will need to wait another 6 months to make the comparison there.

The iPhone 11 didn't have the same design language as the iPhone 12. Software is not part of the design language.