It’s become a regular occurrence for manufacturers to unveil new flagship phone series each year, catering to both those who hold onto their devices for the long haul and those who prefer yearly upgrades. However, as the prices of these devices continue to climb, many consumers are opting to stick with their current phones rather than splurging on new ones. Recent statistics reveal a decline in phone shipments across the US, and Google’s Pixel sales may be feeling the impact of this trend.
According to data from Counterpoint Research, phone shipments in the US have dropped by 8 percent year-over-year in the first quarter of 2024. While specific numbers for Google’s Pixel sales in Q1 2024 weren’t provided, the company’s market share accounted for 2 percent of the total reported during the same period last year. However, in the first quarter of 2024, Google’s sales were combined with TCL’s, both reporting relatively small numbers. This suggests that Pixel shipment figures may have fallen below the 2 percent threshold.
On the other hand, Samsung stood out amidst the declining trend. In Q1 2024, the company’s market share of US phone sales increased to 31 percent, up from 27 percent in the same period the previous year. Counterpoint Research attributes this growth to Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series, which seemed to resonate well with consumers despite its flagship pricing.
These findings align with Samsung’s Q1 2024 earnings report, where the company credited its S24 series for its consolidated revenue of approximately $51 billion. The introduction of new Galaxy AI features in the flagship line appears to have captured consumer interest, leading to an 8 percent increase in Galaxy S24 sales compared to the first three weeks after the Galaxy S23 series launch. Particularly in the US, sales saw a significant uptick of 14 percent. While Apple’s iPhone continues to dominate the US market, Android flagships like Samsung’s are gradually gaining ground.
