Samsung Overtakes Apple in Smartphone Shipments: IDC Report

Apple faced a setback in the smartphone market as its shipments dipped by approximately 10% in the first quarter of 2024, according to data from IDC. This decline, attributed to heightened competition from Android manufacturers, allowed Samsung to secure the leading position with a market share of 20.8%, surpassing Apple’s 17.3%.

The reversal in fortunes comes after Apple’s brief reign as the world’s top phone maker in the previous quarter. Contributing to Samsung’s ascendancy were the robust sales of its latest flagship Galaxy S24 series, with global shipments exceeding 60 million units. Meanwhile, Xiaomi emerged as the third-largest player, capturing 14.1% market share.

While Apple grapples with diminishing sales, particularly in China where shipments declined by 2.1% in the final quarter of 2023, anticipation mounts for its upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference in June. At this event, observers expect insights into software updates and potential advancements in artificial intelligence, a domain where Apple has been relatively reticent.

The tech landscape remains dynamic as companies vie for supremacy. Apple’s response to mounting challenges and Samsung’s momentum in the smartphone arena underscore the competitive forces shaping the industry. With investors eyeing developments in AI and market dynamics, the stage is set for continued evolution in the global smartphone market.