Global smartphone market recovers to pre-COVID levels in 2021, Samsung retains lead: Canalys

According to the report, the global smartphone market has recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2021, up seven percent year-on-year to 1.35 billion shipments. The growth is registered despite the shortage of components due to the pandemic, which is still faced by most players in the market worldwide. Samsung has maintained its market leadership this year with a 20 percent share. Apple followed. Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo were third on the list of the top five smartphone vendors in the world.

Analytical company Canalys informed On Friday, the global smartphone market reached 1.35 billion units in 2021, close to 1.37 billion units in 2019. Shipments this year are also up from the 1.26 billion units shipped in 2020.

“Many vendors have shown their best performance in 2021, increasing smartphone shipments by double digits to match and exceed pre-COVID-19 levels,” Canalys analyst Sanyam Chaurasia said in a prepared statement. “The main growth driver for the industry has been a broad mass market segment, especially in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. Unfortunately, there is also a severe shortage of components in this segment, especially budget 4G chipsets.”

Among other players, Samsung continued to lead the global market in 2021. The South Korean company shipped 274.5 million smartphones, up 19 million from the 255.5 million units shipped in 2020, or showing a seven percent annual growth. However, the Canalys report says that Samsung has retained the 20 percent market share it captured last year.

Apple remained in second place with 230.1 million units shipped for the year. The Cupertino-based company managed to ship 22.9 million more iPhones than it did in 2020, which was 207.2 million units, helping mark an 11 percent year-on-year growth. It also increased its market share to 17 percent from 16 percent the previous year.

After Samsung and Apple, Xiaomi took third place. The Chinese company captured a market share of 14 percent, shipping 191.2 million units in 2021.

Xiaomi was followed by Oppo and Vivo, which took 11 and 10 percent of the market respectively last year. Oppo shipped 145.1 million devices a year, including OnePlus shipments. On the other hand, Vivo shipments rose to 129.9 million, Canalys said.

The report shows that the market share of other players has decreased to 28 percent in 2021 from 33 percent in the previous year.

Global smartphone shipments and growth in 2021 according to Canalys

“Apple’s record year in the smartphone market is not surprising, but Samsung has been hit hard by supply and production issues this year, and its key volume driver, the Galaxy A series, is facing shortages worldwide,” Canalys Research analyst Le . Xuan Chew. “However, Samsung has focused on improving profitability, especially through its portfolio of high-end products. The Galaxy S and Z families have played a critical role in offsetting the declining share of sales compared to Chinese suppliers in the global market.”

In terms of quarterly shipments, Canalys reported that the global smartphone market shipped 363 million units in the fourth quarter, representing a one percent year-on-year increase.

Apple led the market in the fourth quarter of 2021 with 82.7 million devices, resulting in a 23 percent share. Samsung, however, came in second with 70.5 million units shipped, resulting in a 19 percent share, the firm said.

Xiaomi retained its third position in terms of quarterly shipments. According to Canalys, the company shipped 45.4 million devices and received a 13 percent share.

Oppo and Vivo were the remaining brands on the list of the world’s top five smartphone vendors in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Global smartphone shipments and growth in Q4 2021 according to Canalys

Canalys predicts that current supply restrictions will gradually ease as chipmakers ramp up production and 5G chipset prices fall. This will ultimately help 5G devices become the next volume driver in 2022, Chaurasia said.