Samsung Dethrones Apple as Top Smartphone Maker in the First Quarter of 2024

By Thea Felicity

Apr 15, 2024 09:45 AM EDT

Drone Show In Celebration Of Launch Of New Samsung Galaxy S24 Device — LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: London’s skyline is lit up with an epic drone show to celebrate the launch of the new Samsung Galaxy S24 device featuring Galaxy AI technology at Magazine London on January 17, 2024 in London, England. Visuals of the solar system, planets and a spaceship were depicted using 550 drones, signifying the infinite possibilities that come with artificial intelligence.
(Photo : Joe Maher/Getty Images for Samsung)

Samsung has reclaimed its position as the leading smartphone seller, surpassing Apple in the first quarter of 2024, according to CNBC. This reversal comes as Apple experiences a decline in iPhone shipments, dropping nearly 10% globally.

In detail, Apple shipped 50.1 million units in the first quarter, marking a sharp decline of 9.6% compared to the same period last year when it shipped 55.4 million units. Among the top five smartphone brands, Apple recorded the most year-on-year decrease. Per VCPost, it signals challenges from rising competition by Chinese contenders such as Xiaomi and Transsion. In China, Huawei surpassed Apple in sales.

How Samsung Becomes Top Smartphone Maker in Q1 of 2024

On the other hand, Samsung witnessed stability in its shipments, retaining a 20.8% market share and shipping almost the same number of units as the previous year, totaling 60.1 million shipments.

This resurgence for Samsung comes after it yielded the top spot to Apple in the previous year.

Alongside Samsung, Xiaomi and Transsion also emerged as key players. Xiaomi experienced a 33.8% increase in shipments, totaling 40.8 million units, while Transsion observed an 84.9% surge, reaching 28.5 million units. Transsion, the Shenzhen-based smartphone manufacturer, has quietly ascended to become the world's fifth-largest smartphone maker, owning brands like Tecno, Itel, and Infinix.

In terms of market share, Xiaomi (14.1%), Transsion (9.9%), and OPPO (8.7%) secured the third, fourth, and fifth positions, respectively, based on first-quarter shipments, as outlined in the International Data Corporation's report.

Now, these developments are expected to prompt both Samsung and Apple to explore new avenues for expansion and diversification within the high-end smartphone market.

To counter this sharp decline, it was earlier reported that Apple is investing $139 million in an ongoing Shenzhen Lab in China to boost production, considering that their shipping percentage caused their decline.

Sectors