US Q2 Smartphone Sales Down 25%... Samsung Performs Well

Apple -23%, LG -35%... Samsung Shows Smallest Decline at 10%

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] U.S. smartphone sales in the second quarter decreased by 25% compared to last year. Chinese manufacturers were hit the hardest, while Samsung Electronics experienced a smaller decline than Apple.

According to market research firm Counterpoint Research on the 21st (local time), Samsung Electronics' U.S. smartphone sales in the second quarter fell by 10% compared to last year. Competitor Apple saw a 23% decrease, LG Electronics 35%, OnePlus and ZTE dropped by 60% and 68%, respectively.

The impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) led to store closures in the U.S. from mid-March to April, contributing to the decline in sales. Approximately 80% of retail stores were not operating. However, sales significantly recovered in May and June. According to Counterpoint Research's monthly report Market Pulse, smartphone sales in May increased by 56% compared to the previous quarter.

In the second quarter, the share of online smartphone sales in the U.S. rose from 14% last year to 31%. Thanks to Samsung Electronics having established an online sales system, it experienced the smallest decline among smartphone manufacturers. However, the device certification rate for the Galaxy S20 was about 38% lower compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy S10.

Park Jinseok, a researcher at Counterpoint Research, explained, "Last year, 12% of Samsung's global smartphone sales came from the U.S. market, and the proportion of flagship sales is also high. As the U.S. smartphone market recovered in May, it is expected to have a positive impact on the global smartphone sales growth of Samsung and LG. However, if the number of new COVID-19 cases surges again and consumer sentiment contracts, the smartphone market could show a downward trend once more."

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