Smartphone sales: Apple regained its crown in the last quarter of 2021


Like every quarter, Canalys unveils the figures for smartphone deliveries on an international scale. In the last quarter of 2021, the analyst firm thus notes that Apple occupied first place on the podium, ahead of Samsung and Xiaomi, which had experienced a clear jump in the first half of the same year. Samsung, first in previous quarters, is on the heels since, if Apple benefits from a 22% market share, the South Korean accounts for 20% of the sector. The gap between the two firms is also less marked than in the last quarter of 2020, when the two competitors garnered 23 and 17% market share respectively. Canalys estimates give Xiaomi 12% of the market during the same period, in 2020 as in 2021. The Chinese giant therefore retains third place, ahead of Oppo.

These estimates should be put in perspective with a sector hit by component shortages, which translates into a total of smartphones delivered, all brands combined, up only 1% during the quarter. Apple is also benefiting from the success of the iPhone 13 series, unveiled at the very end of the third quarter and marketed in the fourth. Canalys points out that “Apple’s production line is starting to get some color back, but it had to limit production in the fourth quarter due to shortages and couldn’t make enough iPhones to meet demand”noting that said shortages have affected smaller manufacturers more.

Samsung, meanwhile, is narrowing its gap with the Apple brand. From 17% market share in the same quarter in 2020, the South Korean rose to 20% in the last quarter of 2020. A score he achieved even though he was unable to launch his Galaxy S21 FE during the period, its successful S20 FE having been released at the end of 2020. The beginning of the year 2022 should however allow Samsung to experience an upturn and to improve this ranking, the marketing of its Galaxy S22 being expected in February.



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