In the first quarter, Samsung surpassed Apple to claim the title of the world’s largest seller of smartphones.
According to Canalys, an independent analyst firm, Samsung shipped 60 million units during the quarter, securing the top spot. Apple slipped to second place, shipping 48.7 million units.
Canalys attributed Samsung’s success to updates in its A-series smartphones and early premium offerings, while Apple faced challenges in its core markets, resulting in a double-digit decline.
The launch of Samsung’s Galaxy S24 marked a significant moment in its AI and premium strategy. With shipments of 13.5 million units, a 35% year-over-year growth compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 launch reflects Samsung’s momentum in the market.
Sanyam Chaurasia, senior analyst at Canalys, highlighted the role of Galaxy AI in Samsung’s success, emphasizing its potential to drive innovation in the industry.
In contrast, Apple experienced a decline in smartphone sales in China, marking its worst performance since the start of the pandemic. Economic pressures and competition from Huawei were cited as contributing factors.
Despite challenges, the worldwide smartphone market experienced a 10% year-over-year growth in the first quarter, reaching 296.2 million units. Canalys noted that refreshed portfolios from vendors and stabilization in emerging markets contributed to this growth.
Looking ahead, Canalys emphasized the importance of generative AI in the smartphone ecosystem, predicting that strategic alliances among brands, chipset providers, and software firms will drive innovation in personalized AI solutions for end users.
