iPhone shipments increased modestly in the first three months of 2023, according to a market research firm. That’s in stark contrast to Android-makers, most of which experienced double-digit drops.
The trend carried through in China, making Apple the largest smartphone seller in this critical market.
iPhone shipments beat negative global smartphone market
It’s not a good time for smartphone sales. Shoppers around the world are dealing with inflation and worries about a possible recession.
But the worst these seem to have done to Apple was reduce growth in iPhone shipments. These were up 3% year over year, reports Canalys.
“Apple had robust performance in Q1, particularly in the Asia Pacific region,” said Runar Bjørhovde, Canalys Analyst. “Here, Apple’s sustained investments into offline channels enabled it to attract a burgeoning middle-class, which places high value on the in-store purchasing experience.”
iPhone on top in China
iPhone has held the largest share of the U.S. market for years, and now it’s taken that title in China, too.
“In Q1 2023, Apple recorded the biggest share in the China smartphone market, increasing sales by 6% YoY in a declining market,” reports market-analysis firm Counterpoint Research. “Apple’s market share in Q1 came to 19.9%, its highest Q1 share since 2014, while its sales were also the highest Q1 sales since 2015.”
Q1 2023 wasn’t good for Android-makers
In contrast to Apple’s growth in iPhone shipments, the top Android-makers all saw declines in the first three months of 2023.
Samsung’s global handset shipments dropped 18% year over year, Xiaomi’s declined 22%, Oppo dwindled 8% and Vivo’s went down 17% in Q1 2023, according to Canalys.
In China, total shipments of non-Apple handsets saw an annual decline of 8%, according to Counterpoint.
