Canalys has released its initial report on the performance of the global smartphone market during the third quarter of 2024, which showed significant growth in shipments both on an annual and sequential basis. Analysts indicated that the continuous replacement cycle was the driving force behind this growth in the period from July to September, with intense competition.
Samsung maintained its position at the top, but barely managed to stay in first place during this quarter as Apple achieved almost the same market share when rounding the numbers in the context of competition. Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo took the top five positions, with the focus being on Apple, which reached its highest shipment volumes during this period.
Strong demand for the iPhone 15 and Apple’s new devices significantly contributed to the company’s increase in shipments. This increase reflects the market’s shift towards premium devices, especially with Apple’s readiness to launch expected artificial intelligence features during this month. It is expected that the performance of the iPhone 16 will strengthen Apple’s position as the leading company in the smartphone market in the fourth quarter, helping it to continue its dominance in the first half of 2025.
With the expansion of artificial intelligence features in major markets like Europe and China, the market remains in a state of continuous development, although achieving full deployment will take some time.
Furthermore, the market appears to be in good shape as we approach holiday seasons such as Diwali in India on October 31, Singles’ Day in China on November 11, Black Friday in late November, and New Year’s Eve at the end of the year, indicating that demand will remain strong during this period.
Despite optimism in the market, Canalys points out that some companies still face challenges in generating demand and overcoming regulatory obstacles, especially in the European Union.
