According to the latest report by Counterpoint Research, the global smartphone market declined 4% YoY in the third quarter of 2020. The market, however, grew 32% QoQ to reach 366 million units hinting at a recovery, riding on the pent-up demand due to the lockdown necessitated by the pandemic.
The streamlining of the supply chain as well as eased exports and imports aided the recovery across key markets, like the US, India, and Latin America.
Samsung: Samsung regained the top spot shipping 79.8 million units in the last quarter. This is the highest ever shipment by the company in the last three years. The company managed to recover in several markets, including India, where it regained the top spot from Xiaomi after two years.
Huawei: Huawei continued a declining trend amidst US-China trade sanctions and the company’s share dropped from 20% in Q2 2020 to 14% in Q3 2020.
Xiaomi: Xiaomi, for the first time, surpassed Apple to capture the third spot in the global smartphone market. The company grew 75% QoQ to grab a 13% share for the quarter reaching its highest-ever shipments at 46.2 million units.
Apple: Apple iPhone shipments declined 7% YoY during the quarter as the company delayed its annual iPhone launch from Q3 to Q4. The company will expectedly bounce back in the fourth quarter with the new iPhone 12 and the impetuous that the festive season brings.
realme was the fastest-growing brand in the third quarter of 2020 as it grew 132% QoQ to reach 14.8 million units for the quarter. The strong growth momentum helped realme become the world’s fastest brand to ship 50 million smartphone units since inception, surpassing top players such as Samsung, Apple, Huawei and Xiaomi.
Source: Counterpoint Research
