Apple iPhone Shipments Drop 9.6% as Samsung Takes Lead

Global smartphone shipments have shown signs of recovery with a 7.8% year-over-year increase in the first quarter of 2024, as reported by the International Data Corporation (IDC). In total, the market saw 289.4 million handsets shipped. Samsung Electronics reclaimed the leading position in the market with a significant growth, shipping 60.1 million units, resulting in a market share of 20.8%. This marked a notable increase in its shipments.

In contrast, Apple Inc. experienced a nearly 10% decline in iPhone shipments, bringing their total to 50.1 million units and a market share of 17.3%. The drop in Apple's shipments occurred despite the overall growth in the market. Chinese brands such as Transsion and Xiaomi Corp. also showed substantial progress. Transsion notably contributed to the growth with an 85% increase in shipments, while Xiaomi secured third place with a 14.1% market share, narrowing the gap with Apple.

The resurgence of the global smartphone market and the shifts in market positions among top players such as Samsung, Apple, and Xiaomi, come amid a competitive landscape. In related industry news, the U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple in March, alleging monopolization of smartphone markets. This legal action underlines the intense scrutiny and competitive dynamics within the industry.