In a significant shift, Apple Inc. has emerged as the best-selling smartphone company in 2023, toppling Samsung from its long-standing position at the helm for the first time in 12 years.
According to data from the International Data Corporation (IDC), the American tech giant secured over a fifth of the global smartphone market share, accounting for nearly 235 million phones shipped last year.
Samsung, with a market share of 19.4%, now holds the second position, followed by Chinese phone manufacturers Xiaomi, OPPO, and Transsion.
The IDC report also highlighted that the total smartphone sales reached almost 1.2 billion units in the previous year, marking a decline of more than 3% compared to the previous year. This sales figure represents the lowest in a decade, attributed to consumer restraint amid economic challenges and high-interest rates during the pandemic.
Smartphone sales had faced challenges as many users postponed upgrades during the pandemic. However, experts anticipate a market recovery in the current year. The changing dynamics in the smartphone industry signal a shift in consumer preferences and market competitiveness.