Apple leads in global smartphone shipments in Q4 of 2020: IDC

Apple returned to the number one position in global smartphone shipments in Q4 of 2020, driven by the success of the iPhone 12 series. According to IDC, the Cupertino-based tech giant shipped 90.1 million devices in the quarter, edging out any of its Android rivals.

Apple’s Q420 performance represents the highest shipment volume from a vendor in a single quarter and resulted in 23.4 per cent market share and 22.2 per cent year-over-year growth.

Samsung moved to number two with 73.9 million device shipments and 19.1 per cent market share. With the continued success of the A-series and growth in nearly every region, Samsung saw year-over-year growth of 6.2 per cent, according to IDC.

Xiaomi finished the quarter in the third position with shipments of 43.3 million and 11.2 per cent market share while OPPO was fourth with shipments of 33.8 million and 8.8 per cent market share. Both companies successfully capitalised on declining Huawei shipments, growing 32.0 per cent and 10.7 per cent year over year respectively, by focusing on aggressive product portfolios and building partnerships.

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Huawei fell to the number five spot in the quarter with shipments of 32.3 million and an 8.4 per cent market share. The company continues to suffer under the weight of U.S. sanctions and saw a dramatic year-over-year decline of 42.4 per cent.

Smartphone vendors shipped a total of 385.9 million devices during the quarter, a 4.3 per cent year-over-year growth.

“There are a lot of elements at play that are fuelling the smartphone market recovery – pent-up demand, continued supply push on 5G, aggressive promotions, and the popularity of low to mid-priced phones,” said Nabila Popal, research director with IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers.

“Vendors also seem to be better prepared for the second lockdown, ensuring they have the right channel set up ready to fulfill orders and reach the end consumer. Lockdowns also have people spending less on areas like leisure, travel, and dining out – and smartphones are benefitting from this. In addition to all these factors, the fast recovery and resilience of the smartphone supply chain also has to be given some credit.”

Annual shipments however declined 5.9 per cent in 2020 compared to 2019, with sales dragged down by the negative effects of Covid-19.