The smartphone industry is very dynamic. There are giants battling out for market share, with rising stars emerging from unexpected corners. But it’s possible to get a clear picture of the industry by looking at the yearly performance of the brands. Well, that’s precisely what the team behind John’s Phones did. Besides analyzing, the team has also delivered a deep insight into the most popular phone brands of 2023.
Of course, given the comprehensive nature of the report, it can be quite hard to crunch the numbers. So, let’s give you a brief rundown of the main highlights report and offer you a glimpse of how each brand did in 2023.
Methodology: How Did John’s Phones Came Up with the Most Popular Phone Brands of 2023 Report
The team scoured data from industry leaders to paint a clear picture of the smartphone industry. They relied on October 2023 figures from StatCounter for global and country-specific market share. If you don’t know what StatCounter is, it is a web analytics powerhouse.
For best-selling brands in Q3 2023, the team tapped into Canalys’ expertise in smartphone shipments. They factored in POCO with Xiaomi and OnePlus with OPPO. Also, to understand which phone models ruled the first half of 2023, the team consulted Omdia’s insightful report on global shipments.
In short, the report on popular phone brands of 2023 relies on many diverse threads. The team could only offer an insightful data representation by tapping into several reliable and trustworthy data sources.
Apple and Samsung Reigned Supreme as the Most Popular Brands of 2023
While dozens of brands compete for attention, Apple and Samsung remain the undisputed kings of the global smartphone market. In the first half of 2023, they held a combined market share of over 54%.
But Apple led the pack at 29.64%, with Samsung closing behind at 24.68%. This dominance extends when you consider the best-selling models. Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro Max, Pro, and 14 occupied the top three spots globally.
Surprisingly, the best-selling smartphone from Samsung isn’t a flagship phone. Instead, it’s the Galaxy A14 4G, which is an entry-level smartphone. Of course, the report on the most popular phone brands of 2023 did show that the S23 Ultra had a pretty good run. But as the picture attached above shows, it’s chased close by the A14 5G, which is an entry-level phone again. So, it’s safe to say that Samsung’s entry-level and mid-range the phones does better than the flagship.
Regional Variations: A More Nuanced Picture
When you step outside the global picture, the story becomes more intricate. Apple, for instance, enjoys top billing in countries like Australia, Japan, and the United States.
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Samsung, on the other hand, takes the crown in Israel, Mexico, and its home turf of South Korea. Xiaomi, the Chinese powerhouse, shines in Greece, Spain, and India, showcasing the growing influence of Asian brands. But the most interesting bit of the report on the most popular phone brands of 2023 is the emerging players.
Brands like Tecno, Infinix, and Oppo are making waves in Africa and parts of Asia. They capitalized on their affordability and understanding of local preferences. Tecno, for example, dominates markets like Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Infinix has also had a great year, which you can read more about from our interview with the CEO.
Oppo, on the other hand, holds sway in Indonesia and the Philippines. This trend highlights the increasing diversity of the smartphone market, where regional preferences and price points play a crucial role.
Predictions for 2024: Foldables, Chinese Growth, and a Huawei Resurgence?
Looking ahead, analysts predict a 7.3% YoY growth in Q4 2023, driven by a surge in new product launches from Chinese OEMs. The overall market is expected to continue a steady climb in 2024, with a projected 3.8% growth. Interestingly, Chinese brands were the only ones to score double-digit annual growth in 2023, showcasing their rising clout.
One trend to watch closely is the burgeoning market for foldable phones. Despite a slight decline in overall smartphone sales in Q2 2023, the foldable segment saw a healthy 10% growth, with China leading the charge. Samsung and Huawei currently dominate this space, but Chinese players are quickly adapting and offering a wider range of foldables at various price points, making them even more competitive.
Another potential game-changer is the resurgence of Huawei. Apple reportedly saw a 30% drop in sales in China during the first week of 2024, partly due to the growing popularity of Huawei’s new Mate 60 series. This could shake up the premium phone segment, where Apple currently holds a 71% share.
Final Words on the Most Popular Phone Brands of 2023 Report
The smartphone market is quite fascinating, and the report on the most popular phone brands of 2023 portrayed it quite well. We got a deeper look at established giants, ambitious newcomers, and regional variations. As foldable phones rise, Chinese brands flex their muscles, and Huawei makes a comeback, the future promises to be even more exciting and unpredictable. You can get more data from the full report accessible via this link.
I’m guessing (also hoping) that Google is in the “Others” category with 6,8% of market share.