The global smartphone market grew 20% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2021, and Samsung was able to regain the top spot from Apple after losing it in Q4 2020. These results were helped by poor iPhone shipments in North America and Europe, reveals a new infographic by market research firm Counterpoint Research.
Global smartphone shipments declined 10% quarter-on-quarter compared to Q4 2020, but grew 20% YoY. In Q1 2021, the global market recorded almost 355 million smartphone shipments. Samsung had the largest global market share at 22% and was followed by Apple, Xiaomi, and Oppo, who have captured 17%, 14%, and 11% of the market, respectively.
Samsung is leading its rivals in Europe, LATAM, MEA
Apple led the market in North America despite it losing ground. It captured 55% of the market and was followed by Samsung with 28% market share.
Apple and Samsung were on equal footing in Asia, where they each have a market share of 12% and fall behind Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo.
However, Samsung led its rivals in Europe, LATAM, and MEA. The company captured 37% of the European smartphone market in terms of Q1 shipments, while Apple and Xiaomi had 24% and 19% market share, respectively.
In LATAM, Samsung had a 42% share and was followed by Motorola (22%) and Xiaomi (8%). As for the MEA region, Samsung led with 26% of the market.
Counterpoint Research also revealed a few interesting facts about the global feature phone market, where Samsung is the fourth-largest OEM. Global shipments declined 19% YoY and 15% QoQ. India remains the biggest feature phone market, and Samsung captured 19% of it in Q1.
