Huawei and Samsung Neck and Neck... Samsung Tops Global Smartphone Sales in May

Global Mobile Phone Market Down 36% Year-on-Year
Sales Recovering... Samsung Remains No.1 Globally
Huawei Takes Smartphone No.1 by 0.1%p Margin

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Samsung Electronics has reclaimed the top spot in global smartphone sales for May, surpassing Huawei.

According to Market Pulse, the monthly report by global market research firm Counterpoint on the 30th, Samsung Electronics recorded a 17.2% share of the global smartphone market in May, securing first place. The market share for May was Samsung (17.2%), Huawei (17.1%), Apple (12%), Oppo (7%), Xiaomi (7%), Vivo (7%), and others (18%).

Global smartphone sales in May decreased by 36% compared to the same period last year but increased by 18% compared to the previous month. Sales are recovering as operations at Indian factories normalize and the impact of COVID-19 gradually subsides in the US, Europe, and India. Smartphone sales include both smartphones and feature phones.

In the global smartphone market share, Huawei (19.7%) narrowly led by 0.1 percentage points, followed by Samsung (19.6%), Apple (13%), Oppo (8%), Xiaomi (8%), Vivo (8%), and others (23%). As China, the leader in global smartphone sales since COVID-19, resumed economic activities, Huawei, which holds about half of the Chinese market share, also benefited positively. However, Counterpoint notes that due to US sanctions and potential issues with procuring key semiconductor components, the outlook after September remains bleak for Huawei.

Lee Yoon-jung, an analyst at Counterpoint, said, "Samsung is expected to see improved sales driven by recovery in key markets such as India and Latin America." She added, "With recent strengthening of the mid-to-low-end smartphone lineup like the Galaxy A series and upcoming new product launches including the Galaxy Note 20 series, Fold 2, and S20 Fan Edition, Samsung is likely to stimulate improving consumer sentiment."

On the 11th (local time), Samsung Electronics held the Galaxy Unpacked 2020 event at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, USA, unveiling its strategic smartphones, the Galaxy S20 series, and the second foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Flip. On the 12th, citizens are experiencing the related products at the KT Plaza Gwanghwamun branch in Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.