iPhone market share grows despite declining global shipments

Apple's success with the iPhone 13 lineup continues.

According to new data from analytics firm Canalys, iPhone market share continued to grow while global smartphone shipments declined 11% in the first quarter of 2022.

Worldwide smartphone shipments fell 11% amid unfavorable economic conditions and sluggish seasonal demand in the first quarter of 2022. Samsung led the market with a 24% share, up from 19% in Q4 2021 as the vendor revamped its 2022 portfolio. Apple came second, with a solid Q1 thanks to the growing demand for its iPhone 13 series. Xiaomi stayed in third place due to the stellar performance of its Redmi Note series. OPPO (including OnePlus) and vivo completed the top five with 10% and 8% shares.

Canalys Analyst Sanyam Chaurasia said that, despite a decline in global shipments, the success of the iPhone 13 lineup and the new iPhone SE caused Apple to grow its market share from 15% to 18% year over year.

"Despite the looming uncertainty in global markets, the leading vendors accelerated their growth by broadening device portfolios for 2022. While the iPhone 13 series continues to capture consumer demand, the new iPhone SE launched in March is becoming an important mid-range volume driver for Apple. At a similar price point to its predecessor, it offers an upgraded chipset and improved battery performance and adds the 5G connectivity that operator channels are demanding. At the same time, Samsung ramped up production of its popular A series to compete aggressively in the mid-to-low-end segment while refreshing its 2022 portfolio, including its flagship Galaxy S22 series. While Chinese vendors are still suffering supply constraints at the low end, their global expansion is being hampered by a slowdown in their home market."

Apple is expected to release the iPhone 14 lineup in the fall of this year. The new lineup is expected to favor a larger regular iPhone and ditch the iPhone mini which, if true, will have only lasted two years.