Samsung Electronics has once again grabbed the title of world’s top smartphone maker in terms of volume in the first quarter of 2015, new research released Tuesday claims.
According to research firm Strategy Analytics, Samsung shipped 83.2 million smartphones worldwide and captured 24 per cent market share in the quarter, down from 31 per cent a year earlier. In comparison, Apple shipped 61.2 million smartphones and captured 18 per cent market share in the the January-March period. Global smartphone shipments grew 21 per cent annually from 285.0 million units in Q1 2014 to a 345.0 million in Q1 2015.
Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, said, “Samsung shipped 83.2 million smartphones worldwide and captured 24 percent marketshare in Q1 2015, dipping from 31 percent a year earlier. Samsung continued to face challenges in Asia and elsewhere, but its global performance has stabilized sufficiently well this quarter to overtake Apple and recapture first position as the world’s largest smartphone vendor by volume. Apple shipped 61.2 million smartphones worldwide and captured 18 percent marketshare in Q1 2015, rising from 15 percent in Q1 2014. Apple’s new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models remain wildly popular in China and worldwide, as consumers upgrade
to larger-screen phablets for enhanced data experiences.”
As per the research report, Lenovo smartphone shipments fell to 18.8 million from 24.7 million and Huawei smartphone volume dropped to 17.3 million from 24.1 million.
Woody Oh, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “Lenovo-Motorola held on to third position with 5 percent global smartphone marketshare in Q1 2015, but it has slipped from 7 percent a year ago. Lenovo is facing competitive pressure in the high-growth China LTE category, while Motorola is struggling to expand in its core market of North America and its growth market of India. Meanwhile, Huawei shipped a robust 17.3 million smartphones for 5 percent share and fourth position worldwide in Q1 2015. Huawei is expanding rapidly online in China and through retailers across Africa, enabling it to become an emerging powerhouse in developing regions.”
