According to latest statistics from technology research firm Strategy Analytics, Apple overtook Samsung to become the top smartphone vendor worldwide in the 4th Quarter of 2016. Apple sold 78.3 million units worldwide in Q4 16, which is a 5% annual increase as compared with 74.8 million units sold in Q4 15. The market share of Apple stood at 17.8% whereas Samsung’s market share was 17.7% worldwide.
Samsung sold 77.5 million units in this quarter, 0.8 million less than what Apple sold. Samsung witnessed a 5% decline from 81.3 million units in Q4 2015.
These numbers are obvious. Samsung had a terrible 2016, thanks to Galaxy Note 7 chaos. The South Korean-giant had to recall 2.5 million units of the device which could have been the ‘Phone of the Year’. If this fiasco didn’t take place, things would have been the other way round. But Apple took all the advantages it could. This was the iPhone’s best performance for over a year.
However, considering 2016 as a whole, Samsung is still ahead of Apple. Samsung’s market share in the year 2016 stood at 20.8% while Apple had a market share of 14.5%. In terms of units shipped, Samsung shipped 309.4 million units which is way more than 215.4 million units sold by Apple.
Other interesting statistics
Strategy Analytics also shared that overall 1.5 billion smartphones were shipped in 2016 with a Year-on-Year growth of 3.3%. Chinese manufacturer Huawei ranked at the third position with a market share of record 9.3%. Oppo and Vivo were at the fourth and fifth position.
Oppo had a remarkable 99% Year-on-Year growth with a market share of 5.7%. Yet another Chinese manufacturer Vivo, gaining its momentum, had a market share of 4.8% in 2016.
Samsung is bidding high on its next and much-awaited flagship device, the Galaxy S8. The company might regain its top position very soon as the S8 is rumored to be releasing in the next few weeks after the MWC 2017.
What do you think about Apple becoming the top smartphone vendor? Do you think Samsung will bounce back with the Galaxy S8? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Source: Strategy Analytics
I’ve only ever used an iPhone and can’t imagine using anything else now so this is a really interesting article. Ive always thought the iPhone was the best selling smartphone anyway so strange to see that it always used to be a Samsung!
I don’t think Android users will be so trusting after the S7 issue. I’ve been faithful to Apple since my switchover from blackberry back in 2012
You are right. But Samsung has definitely something in its pocket to regain its position.