Apple dethroned Samsung to become the leading smartphone vendor in 2023, according to the latest IDC report.
The iPhone maker shipped a record 80.5 million devices in the final quarter and a total of 234.6 million for the year. Samsung, on the other hand, shipped 53 million devices in the fourth quarter, with their annual total reaching 226.6 million.
This marks a turning point, as it’s the first time since 2010 that a company other than Samsung has claimed the top spot in the fiercely competitive market.
Meanwhile, Xiaomi came in third with 145.9 million sales, followed by Oppo with 103.1 million and Transsion in fifth place with 94.9 million.
However, the overall smartphone market wasn’t booming. Global shipments dipped 3.2% year-over-year to 1.17 billion units in 2023. While the market faced economic headwinds and inventory issues earlier, the second half saw signs of recovery with a healthy 8.5% growth in the final quarter.
According to IDC, Apple’s success is due to the demand for high-end devices, currently accounting for over 20% of the market. The company’s aggressive trade-in programs and financing options also helped them capitalize on this trend.
While Apple’s rise played a part in Samsung’s decline, the Android ecosystem itself is undergoing diversification. Huawei is regaining ground in China, and brands like OnePlus, Honor, and Google are offering competitive devices at the lower end of the premium segment. Foldable phones and advancements in AI further highlight the dynamic nature of the market.
In another tech development, Microsoft surpassed Apple to become the world’s most valuable company by market cap, driven in part by its focus on generative AI. Their market value has soared by over $1 trillion in the past year, marking a significant shift in the tech landscape.
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(Via)
