Samsung's Unstable 1st Place in 3Q Latin America Smartphone Market... Motorola and Chinese Brands' Offensive

Counterpoint Research Aggregation and Announcement
"Galaxy S21 FE Needs a Quick Launch
A Series Lineup Should Also Be Strengthened"

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] While the Latin American smartphone market is undergoing a period of great upheaval due to U.S. sanctions on Huawei and LG Electronics' withdrawal from the smartphone business, Samsung Electronics maintained its top position in the third quarter. However, it is assessed that the company cannot be complacent due to semiconductor supply issues as well as aggressive competition from second-place Motorola and Chinese brands.

According to Market Pulse, a monthly smartphone sales report by global market research firm Counterpoint Research, the Latin American smartphone market size in the third quarter increased by 8% compared to the same period last year.

Samsung maintained its number one position with a market share of 37%, but this figure decreased by 5 percentage points compared to the same period last year. Although it still holds the top spot in most Latin American countries, Chinese brands such as Xiaomi, ZTE, and Oppo are closely pursuing. The decline in market share was mainly due to parts supply issues and aggressive competition from rivals.

The Latin American region is experiencing a tectonic shift in the smartphone industry due to Huawei's fall caused by U.S. sanctions and LG's business withdrawal. Meanwhile, second-place Motorola has significantly narrowed the gap with Samsung in Argentina and Brazil. In Mexico, Motorola overtook Samsung starting from the second quarter and eventually rose to first place.

Chinese Xiaomi, ranked third, is also actively mounting an offensive. Especially in Colombia and Peru, where it holds second place, Xiaomi is gradually expanding its presence and closing the gap with Samsung.

Lee Yoon-jung, an analyst at Counterpoint Research, pointed out, "Thanks to strong sales of foldable smartphones such as the 'Galaxy Z Flip3' released in the third quarter, Samsung's market share is recovering mainly in advanced markets, but in emerging regions such as Latin America and the Middle East and Africa, where mid-to-low-end products are the main focus, market share is partially declining."

She added, "It seems necessary to solidify Samsung's original status against competitors' offensives through the rapid launch of the delayed 'Galaxy S21 FE' and strengthening the Galaxy A series lineup."

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