Q3 Smartphone Market Shows Slow Demand Recovery Amid Pandemic... Samsung Ranks 1st

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] The recovery in demand for the global smartphone market has been slower than expected due to the COVID-19 pandemic and supply issues with components such as semiconductors.

According to market research firm TrendForce on the 30th of last month (local time), the total production volume of the global smartphone market in the third quarter of this year was 325 million units, a 5.7% increase compared to the second quarter.

Although production volume increased compared to the previous quarter, the demand recovery in the smartphone market in the second half of this year appears slower than expected. TrendForce analyzed that while demand improvement is occurring, ongoing component supply issues are limiting production expansion. The total expected production volume for this year was also revised downward to 1.335 billion units, a 6.5% growth compared to last year, from the previous forecast of 1.345 billion units.

By manufacturer, Samsung Electronics maintained its position as the market leader with a 21.2% market share by producing 69 million units, a 17.9% increase from the second quarter. The stabilization of operations at its Vietnam factory is believed to have driven this growth.

Apple, which launched the new smartphone series 'iPhone 13' in the third quarter, produced 51.5 million units, a 22.6% increase from the previous quarter, ranking second. The market share in the third quarter was recorded at 15.9%, and TrendForce expects Apple to raise its share to 23.2% in the fourth quarter as iPhone 13 sales fully ramp up, potentially taking the top spot.

Chinese manufacturers occupied the third to fifth positions. Oppo ranked third by producing 51 million units, a 3% increase from the previous quarter. Xiaomi ranked fourth with 44.5 million units, a 10% decrease from the previous quarter, and Vivo ranked fifth with 34 million units produced.

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