5G Smartphone Growth at 458%... Samsung Ranks 4th, Behind Apple and Oppo

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] Samsung Electronics ranked 4th in the global 5G smartphone market in the first quarter of this year. Although the 5G smartphone market is rapidly expanding in the third year of 5G commercialization, Samsung is struggling, falling behind Apple and Chinese manufacturers.

According to market research firm Strategy Analytics (SA) on the 2nd, Samsung Electronics shipped 17 million units in the global 5G smartphone market in the first quarter, capturing a 12.7% market share.

Apple, leading with its first 5G smartphone, the iPhone 12, recorded 40.4 million units (30.2%) to take first place. Following were Chinese manufacturers Oppo (21.5 million units) and Vivo (19.4 million units), ranking 2nd and 3rd with market shares of 16.1% and 14.5%, respectively. Xiaomi was slightly behind Samsung Electronics in 5th place (16.6 million units, 12.4%).

Global 5G Smartphone Shipments in Q1 (Unit: Million Units)

Samsung Electronics had also led the 5G smartphone market in the first quarter of last year, the early stage of the 5G market, shipping 8.3 million units with a 34.6% market share. However, in just one year, it was pushed down by Apple and Chinese companies. Except for Samsung Electronics, Apple, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi all succeeded in expanding their market shares in the first quarter.

Samsung Electronics has been striving to expand its 5G smartphone market share by launching its strategic smartphone Galaxy S21 more than a month early at the beginning of the year and strengthening the mid-to-low-end A series. However, it is analyzed that it could not surpass the popularity of the iPhone 12 and the cost-effectiveness of Chinese manufacturers.

SA stated, "Apple iPhone is a definite 5G leader," adding, "Apple's first 5G iPhone, the iPhone 12, has gained great popularity in China, Europe, and the United States with its new design and competitive pricing policy." They also added, "Within China, 5G demand was divided among Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi (instead of Huawei)."

In particular, Oppo's 5G phone shipments increased by 1165% compared to the same period last year (1.7 million units). Vivo and Xiaomi also showed growth rates of 646% and 564%, respectively. It appears that Chinese manufacturers have taken the place of Huawei, which is under sanctions by the U.S. government. During the same period, Samsung Electronics' growth rate was a much lower 105%.

Meanwhile, global 5G smartphone shipments in the first quarter reached 133.9 million units, a 458% increase compared to 24 million units in the same period last year. SA evaluated, "Huge demand from China, strong demand for Apple iPhones, and the release of Android models led to 5G smartphone shipments setting a quarterly record."

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