The global smartphone market is showing signs of recovery in 2024 after two consecutive years of decline. According to Counterpoint’s latest report, smartphone sales increased by 4% year-over-year, rebounding from the lowest sales levels recorded in a decade during 2023.
This positive growth marks a turning point for the industry, driven by strong demand for flagship devices and new innovations. Samsung, Apple, and Xiaomi retained their positions as the top three brands globally, with Xiaomi recording the fastest growth among the leading companies.
Key Brand Performances in 2024:
• Samsung: Samsung remains the market leader in 2024, thanks to the success of its Galaxy S24 series and mid-range A-series devices. The S24 series, positioned as the first AI-driven smartphone lineup, has received strong consumer demand, particularly in Western Europe and the United States.
• Apple: Apple secures the second spot with an 18% market share. While the iPhone 16 series received mixed reviews, Apple saw significant growth in non-core markets, including Latin America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.
• Xiaomi: Ranking third, Xiaomi experienced the fastest growth among the top five brands. This growth is attributed to its streamlined product lineup, focus on high-end devices, and aggressive market expansion strategies.
• OPPO: Despite a slight decline in overall sales, OPPO maintained its fourth position. Its market performance rebounded towards the end of the year, signaling a recovery.
• vivo: vivo holds the fifth spot, driven by its strong presence in India and China, where it ended the year as the leading brand in these regions.
Emerging Competitors:
While the top five brands retained their rankings from 2023, emerging players like Huawei, Honor, and Motorola are rapidly gaining ground. These brands are becoming the fastest-growing competitors among the top ten, signaling a shift in the competitive landscape.
Generative AI: The New Frontier in Smartphones
2024 also marks the debut of generative AI technology in smartphones, positioning it as a potential game-changer. While generative AI features are currently limited to high-end models, the technology is expected to trickle down to mid-range devices. By 2028, it is estimated that 90% of smartphones priced above $250 will support generative AI capabilities.
This innovation could revolutionize user experiences, offering advanced functionalities such as real-time content generation, personalized recommendations, and smarter AI assistants. Brands are leveraging these features to differentiate their offerings and capture a larger market share.
Conclusion
The global smartphone market’s recovery in 2024 is a promising sign for the industry, driven by technological advancements and strategic market expansion by leading brands. With innovations like generative AI on the horizon, the industry is poised for further transformation in the coming years.
December 27 – According to South Korean media outlet Kipost, Apple is set to release its first foldable iPhone in September 2026. The device will feature a clamshell-style foldable design, similar to flagship foldables like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series. Production is expected to reach an annual volume of 15 to 20 million units. …
Renowned tech blogger @DigitalChatStation recently revealed that leading Chinese smartphone brands will expand their focus on foldable devices in 2025. Flagship foldable phones like the OPPO Find N5, Honor Magic V4, Vivo X Fold 4, and Huawei Mate X7 are confirmed to make their debut this year. Top 5 Smartphone Makers Embrace Foldable Technology The …
Liu Haoran, General Manager of the OPPO Industrial Design Center and Chief Design Officer of OnePlus, shared a reflective and forward-looking post on social media, marking the end of his first decade at OPPO. In the post, he highlighted major achievements and offered insights into OnePlus’s future direction, including a new design language set to …
The highly anticipated OPPO Find X8 Ultra, positioned as the imaging flagship of the series, is set to redefine industry standards with cutting-edge display and camera innovations. Following the acclaim of its predecessor—equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset and OPPO’s proprietary Tidal Engine for seamless gaming performance—the new Ultra variant promises groundbreaking advancements in …
Counterpoint: Global Smartphone Market Rebounds in 2024, Samsung, Apple, and Xiaomi Lead the Market
The global smartphone market is showing signs of recovery in 2024 after two consecutive years of decline. According to Counterpoint’s latest report, smartphone sales increased by 4% year-over-year, rebounding from the lowest sales levels recorded in a decade during 2023.
This positive growth marks a turning point for the industry, driven by strong demand for flagship devices and new innovations. Samsung, Apple, and Xiaomi retained their positions as the top three brands globally, with Xiaomi recording the fastest growth among the leading companies.
Key Brand Performances in 2024:
• Samsung: Samsung remains the market leader in 2024, thanks to the success of its Galaxy S24 series and mid-range A-series devices. The S24 series, positioned as the first AI-driven smartphone lineup, has received strong consumer demand, particularly in Western Europe and the United States.
• Apple: Apple secures the second spot with an 18% market share. While the iPhone 16 series received mixed reviews, Apple saw significant growth in non-core markets, including Latin America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.
• Xiaomi: Ranking third, Xiaomi experienced the fastest growth among the top five brands. This growth is attributed to its streamlined product lineup, focus on high-end devices, and aggressive market expansion strategies.
• OPPO: Despite a slight decline in overall sales, OPPO maintained its fourth position. Its market performance rebounded towards the end of the year, signaling a recovery.
• vivo: vivo holds the fifth spot, driven by its strong presence in India and China, where it ended the year as the leading brand in these regions.
Emerging Competitors:
While the top five brands retained their rankings from 2023, emerging players like Huawei, Honor, and Motorola are rapidly gaining ground. These brands are becoming the fastest-growing competitors among the top ten, signaling a shift in the competitive landscape.
Generative AI: The New Frontier in Smartphones
2024 also marks the debut of generative AI technology in smartphones, positioning it as a potential game-changer. While generative AI features are currently limited to high-end models, the technology is expected to trickle down to mid-range devices. By 2028, it is estimated that 90% of smartphones priced above $250 will support generative AI capabilities.
This innovation could revolutionize user experiences, offering advanced functionalities such as real-time content generation, personalized recommendations, and smarter AI assistants. Brands are leveraging these features to differentiate their offerings and capture a larger market share.
Conclusion
The global smartphone market’s recovery in 2024 is a promising sign for the industry, driven by technological advancements and strategic market expansion by leading brands. With innovations like generative AI on the horizon, the industry is poised for further transformation in the coming years.
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