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Samsung Overtakes Apple to Reclaim Title of World's Largest Smartphone Maker
The latest numbers from Strategy Analytics reveal that Samsung surpassed Apple to reclaim its position as the world's largest smartphone maker in the first quarter of 2015. The two smartphone vendors were previously tied in the fourth quarter of 2014 after Apple matched Samsung with 74.5 million smartphones shipped on the strength of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus and busy holiday shopping season.
Samsung recaptured the number one position with 83.2 million smartphones shipped in the first quarter, while Apple trailed in second with 61.2 million smartphones shipped during the three-month period ending March. Lenovo-Motorola finished a distant third with 18.8 million smartphones shipped, followed by Huawei at 17.3 million and 164.5 million smartphones shipped by other vendors.
Despite its first place finish, Samsung's global share of the smartphone market dropped to 24.1% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to 31.2% in the year-ago quarter. Apple's global smartphone market share grew marginally to 17.7% in Q1 2015 compared to 15.3% in Q1 2014. The global smartphone market experienced 21% year-over-year growth overall, from 285 million units in Q1 2014 to 345 million in Q1 2015.
While it was impressive that Apple was able to tie Samsung during the fourth quarter, based on the popularity of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, it was highly probable that Samsung would eventually reclaim its title as number one again. The electronics giant's smartphone lineup is much larger than the iPhone lineup, with at least a half-dozen current-generation devices available compared to only a handful of iPhones.
Samsung recaptured the number one position with 83.2 million smartphones shipped in the first quarter, while Apple trailed in second with 61.2 million smartphones shipped during the three-month period ending March. Lenovo-Motorola finished a distant third with 18.8 million smartphones shipped, followed by Huawei at 17.3 million and 164.5 million smartphones shipped by other vendors.
Despite its first place finish, Samsung's global share of the smartphone market dropped to 24.1% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to 31.2% in the year-ago quarter. Apple's global smartphone market share grew marginally to 17.7% in Q1 2015 compared to 15.3% in Q1 2014. The global smartphone market experienced 21% year-over-year growth overall, from 285 million units in Q1 2014 to 345 million in Q1 2015.
While it was impressive that Apple was able to tie Samsung during the fourth quarter, based on the popularity of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, it was highly probable that Samsung would eventually reclaim its title as number one again. The electronics giant's smartphone lineup is much larger than the iPhone lineup, with at least a half-dozen current-generation devices available compared to only a handful of iPhones.
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45 months ago
Some global stats on MR for once. About time. Nothing annoys me more when the articles here seem to assume that US = The World.
45 months ago
Mmm... yeah.... But their average selling price is also like.. $12... Sooo
45 months ago
not gonna lie the Edge is one sexy phone. unfortunately it is running the wrong OS ;)
45 months ago
Some global stats on MR for once. About time. Nothing annoys me more when the articles here seem to assume that US = The World.
I'm glad you appreciated the global aspect of this particular story.
I am the editor of this article and actually live in Canada, so I definitely don't try to make our content revolve around the United States. At the same time, I do understand that Apple is an American company and that the United States is their largest market alongside China, so naturally our coverage is going to be skewed towards the U.S. at times.
45 months ago
Can't say that I'm surprised Apple's reign on top was going to be a short one, just because Samsung produces a lot more models then Apple.
45 months ago
And how much profit is Samsung making on those phones? ;)
EDIT: Jsameds beat me to it...
EDIT: Jsameds beat me to it...
45 months ago
nothing makes readers of macrumors more defensive than a positive samsung article. :eek:
it's crazy. the last 5 pages have been nothing but excuses.
"well what about their profits!"
"i guess they copied apple's success!"
"apple only cares about the premium market!"
"samsung makes crappy phones!"
"yeah, well, apple is the first to get things RIGHT!"
do most of you read what you type before posting it?
it's crazy. the last 5 pages have been nothing but excuses.
"well what about their profits!"
"i guess they copied apple's success!"
"apple only cares about the premium market!"
"samsung makes crappy phones!"
"yeah, well, apple is the first to get things RIGHT!"
do most of you read what you type before posting it?
45 months ago
I never thought I would ever buy a Samsung phone. Well, today I have an S6 Edge. And you know what? I always hated Android. But I'm really enjoying the freedom I have on this handset. It's pretty awesome to see how configurable this thing is, and I am enjoying things such as Tasker and IFTTT on it. Widgets work pretty well too.
It feels a lot more ... personal than my iOS or Windows Phone devices. Which is odd, I never thought I would like Android. But here I am.
And it's all thanks to the S6 Edge. Man, this thing draws attention. I've never seen so many people gawk at a phone before ... well, not since my original iPhone which I got on launch day!
One of the things I enjoy most about my Android phone is simple - the ability to choose default apps. In that regard, my device becomes more "personal" because the device works more how I want...
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