FEATURE : MOBILE
‘ Remarkable ’ surge in global smartphone shipments
The first quarter of 2024 witnessed a ‘ remarkable surge ’ in global smartphone shipments , defying expectations and underscoring the enduring relevance of these pocket-sized marvels .
According to Stocklytics . com , the global smartphone shipment jumped 20 million units YoY to reach 289.4 million units in Q1 2024 .
The remarkable growth is referenced as due to strong performances in EMEA , the Caribbean and Latin America .
Edith Reads , financial analyst with Stocklytics , said : “ This remarkable uptick in smartphone shipments not only underscores the industry ’ s resilience but also signals a renewed vigour in consumer demand for these indispensable devices . Consumer preferences and distributor innovations will Drive the market to new heights . Besides , emerging markets will provide avenues for vendors to explore .
The stats show Samsung regained the top spot in the global market by dethroning Apple despite losing 0.7 % YoY .
In the first quarter of 2024 , Samsung shipped just over 60 million units , slightly fewer than the 60.5 million units it shipped in the same period in 2023 . The company ’ s supply was supported by its strengthened A-series lineup alongside its premium models .
Apple is identified as losing 9.6 % YoY , sliding to second place after shipping 50.1 million units , compared to 2023 Q1 , when it shipped 55.4 million units .
Xiaomi held third place with a distribution of 40.8 million units , accounting for 14.1 % of the market share .
Xiaomi ’ s market share grew by 23.7 % in the same period , 2023 .
Transsion and OPPO completed the top five , shipping 28.5 million and 25.2 million units , respectively , accounting for 9.9 % and 8.7 % of the market share .
Other brands shared 29.3 % of the global market share – distributing 84.7 million units globally .
The stats show several factors triggered the global smartphone shipment growth in Q1 2024 .
Among those factors is the penetration of 5G technology in the markets . Most consumers are out to acquire phones that accept the 5G network for faster connectivity and capabilities . Besides , consumer preference for larger screens , advanced camera quality and better features have Driven the demand , increasing sales in different markets .
The report says the Digital Transformation driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath cannot be ignored .
This transformation , the report says , saw consumers using smartphones that allow remote work , online learning and digital connectivity – with professional and personal smartphone use pattern projecting further growth .
surge in demand requires additional activities like admin support and maintenance , surpassing development costs . Functional services like SMS , push notifications , and email are vital .
• Admin services include content management and data analytics , inflating overall costs . Hosting on compatible servers and data storage adds complexity . Increasing app loads necessitate more servers , escalating costs .
• The related cost of IT support , fixing bugs , updates and API adjustments . Growing app loads amplify support needs , elevating total expenses for app development , deployment and upkeep .
The report makes specific reference to the Android market , saying , over the projected period , this market segment is expected to experience significant growth .
The Android operating system serves as a crucial platform for mobile app publication .
Profitable apps such as Google Drive and Tinder are prominent examples available on the Google Play Store . As of 2022 , the Google Play Store boasts approximately 3.553 million apps for Android users .
The report says popularity among developers has surged due to the widespread adoption of Android smartphones globally , fueling demand .
The Android market segment was valued at US $ 164 . 14 billion in 2017 and maintained growth until 2021 .
According to the report , the introduction of new Android software , featuring AI , streamlined navigation and a dedicated night mode , is driving demand for Android-based mobile apps .
The report expects these enhancements to attract more users to Android applications , further fueling market growth . p
38 INTELLIGENTCIO LATAM www . intelligentcio . com