2022 Smartphone Shipments Ranking
According to recent data released by market research agency Canalys, the global smartphone market faced significant pressure in 2022, with worldwide smartphone shipments falling 17% year on year in Q4 and full-year 2022 shipments declining by 11% to fewer than 1.2 billion. The challenging year for all vendors reflects the ongoing impact of various factors on the smartphone market.
In Q4, Apple reclaimed the top spot in the market, achieving its highest quarterly market share ever at 25%. Despite facing shrinking demand and manufacturing issues in Zhengzhou, Apple was able to maintain its position as the leading smartphone manufacturer. Samsung finished the quarter in second place with a 20% market share, but was the largest vendor for the full year, holding 22% of the market share.
Xiaomi retained its third-place position, despite its share falling to 11% in Q4, largely due to challenges in India. OPPO and Vivo rounded out the top five, taking 10% and 8% market shares respectively in Q4.
However, the market share of several domestic cell phone manufacturers has regressed somewhat compared to 2021. Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo held 13%, 9%, and 9% of the market share respectively. Redmi, iQOO, and other sub-brands have been counted in their parent brand data.
Despite not topping the list, Apple still holds a significant advantage in the market with an average phone price that far exceeds other manufacturers, and its profits are difficult for other cell phone manufacturers to reach.
Canalys Research Analyst Le Xuan Chiew suggests that vendors will approach 2023 cautiously, prioritizing profitability and protecting market share. Vendors are cutting costs to adapt to the new market reality. Building strong partnerships with the channel will be important for protecting market shares as difficult market conditions for both channel partners and vendors can easily lead to strenuous negotiations.
In conclusion, the global smartphone market faced significant pressure in 2022, with worldwide smartphone shipments falling in Q4 and the full year. Apple reclaimed the top spot in Q4 and Samsung was the largest vendor for the full year. Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo rounded out the top five, but their market share has regressed somewhat compared to 2021. Despite the challenges, vendors are looking to adapt and prioritize profitability and protect market share as they move forward into 2023.
