Samsung, Apple in top positions in global smartphone market in first three months, says IDC

There is 4.3 per cent growth in the global smartphone market in the first three months of 2017, according to research firm IDC. A total of 347.4 million was shipped worldwide by the smartphone vendors in the last three months which was 4.3 per cent more than the number that was shipped in the first three months of 2016, that is, 332.2 million units.

Well, other than Galaxy Note 7 fiasco, shipping of Samsung smartphones was more than any other players. During the first quarter, the top slot was regained by Samsung from Apple with shipments of 79.2 million smartphones.

There were deep discounts on Galaxy 7 and S7 edge and Samsung’s position was bolstered, which helped clear out of inventory and make space for Galaxy S8 and S8+.

The research firm told that J-series and A-series also brought significant volumes in both emerging and developed markets.

The second place was taken by Apple despite it being flat during the quarter. Although new Red iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone SE was introduced. 0.5 per cent (to 14.9 per cent) was slipped by Cupertino-based company as shipments increased by 400,000 to 51.6 million. Apple’s iPhone sales for the first quarter will be officially revealed on May 2.

Samsung, Apple and Huwaei are on the top positions with 22.8 per cent, 14.9 per cent and 9.8 per cent shares of the global smartphone market respectively, while Oppo and Vivo maiuntained their positions in the top 5.

“Despite all the popularity and media hype around premium devices, we continue to witness a shift in many companies’ portfolios geared towards affordable devices with premium-type styling compared to flagship models, said Anthony Scarsella, research manager with IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker.  

“Companies have started to implement a single premium design language that ultimately blurs the lines between the high-end and the low-end, allowing the average consumer to jump on the brand without a hefty upfront investment.”