2023 marked a significant shift in the smartphone arena, with Apple seizing the throne for the first time ever. According to IDC, Apple’s market share soared to a record 20.1%, a notable leap from the previous year’s 16.4%.
Apple’s strategy to focus on premium devices has clearly paid off. With its top sellers – the iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 – the company has managed to outshine its competitors despite its steeper price tags.
Samsung, once the market leader, has slipped to second place, trailing just behind Apple with a 19.4% share. Other Android bigwigs like Xiaomi and Oppo have also seen their shares dip, with Xiaomi at 12.5% and Oppo at 8.8%.
Not all is gloomy in the Android camp. Transsion, a brand dominant in emerging markets like Africa, has made impressive gains, growing by 30% to secure an 8.1% market share.
The contrasting strategies of Apple and its Android counterparts are stark. While the average selling price for Android phones hovered around $250, iPhones averaged a whopping $949. Yet, Apple’s dominance, fueled by aggressive trade-in offers and financing plans, suggests a market shift towards high-end devices.
Apple’s ascent to the top spot is not just a win; it’s a statement that quality and brand loyalty can indeed prevail in the highly competitive smartphone market.
Sources include: ArsTechnica