Apple overtakes Samsung as world’s biggest phonemaker

Apple has now claimed the biggest share of the global smartphone market, displacing Samsung from the top position for the first time in 12 years. According to data from the International Data Corporation (IDC), the American tech giant constituted over one-fifth of the phones shipped last year.

Samsung, with a market share of 19.4%, was relegated to the second spot, with Chinese phone manufacturers Xiaomi, OPPO, and Transsion following closely behind.

The smartphone market experienced a downturn as many individuals refrained from upgrading during the pandemic. According to the IDC, approximately 1.2 billion smartphones were sold last year, reflecting a decline of over 3% compared to the previous year. This represents the lowest sales volume in a decade, as consumers tightened their financial belts in response to economic challenges and elevated interest rates. Nevertheless, experts anticipate a market recovery in the coming year.