Despite not finally achieving this milestone, the Cupertino company has reached a iPhone sales recorddriven by the continued success of the iPhone 15 and its previous models. With the new iPhone 16, Apple plans to go even further.
Apple breaks records in the third quarter
Historically, Apple dominates global smartphone sales in the fourth quarter of the year, after the launch of its new models. However, the third quarter, just before the arrival of the new iPhones, is usually less beneficial.
However, this 2024 has been different. According to recent data from Canalys, Apple sales have broken all expectations, reaching their highest historical volume in a third quarter, with 18% of the global market share.
Canalys analyst Runar Bjørhovde highlights that the constant demand for the iPhone 15, along with previous models, has been crucial to Apple’s performance in this period. “The market is leaning towards high-end devices, and the renewal cycle of mobile phones purchased during the pandemic is especially benefiting Apple, especially in its strong regions such as North America and Europe,” explained Bjørhovde.
This notable growth in sales puts Apple very close to Samsungwhich managed to maintain the throne of world leadership, although only for the moment and by a narrow margin.
Apple matches Samsung and goes for more
Despite Apple’s strong performance, Samsung maintained its leadership in the global market with a slight advantage, both companies with an 18% share. Samsung benefited from its extensive catalogespecially in the mid-range. Xiaomi came in third with a 14% share, while Oppo and Vivo completed the top five, each with 9%. The market remains competitive, with a trend towards premium devices.
Despite global economic uncertainty, the smartphone market grew 5% year-on-year, driven by emerging economies and device replacement in key markets such as the United States, Europe and China. A greater increase in sales is expected in the last quarter, due to events such as 11.11 (November 11) in China and Christmas campaigns. The arrival of the iPhone 16, although with a moderate reception, could consolidate Apple as a global market leader thanks to the expansion of its Apple Intelligence technology.
With Apple and Samsung practically tiedthe battle for supremacy in the global smartphone market remains open. The strength of the iPhone 15 and the potential of the iPhone 16 indicate that Apple could finally dethrone Samsung in the coming quarters, especially if the company’s current momentum continues. For consumers, this means more innovation and increasingly fierce competition between the world’s leading technology brands.
Will it take long to see Apple reign? Will this have positive consequences? Everything remains to be seen.
