Samsung led global smartphone market in 2021 with annual shipments of 271M units

According to the latest research by Counterpoint Research’s market monitor service, the global smartphone market has grown for the first time since 2017, reaching 1.39 billion units in 2021. Despite an annual increase of 4%, annual exports were lower than pre-epidemic levels.

Samsung shipped 271 million units in 2021, an increase of 6% over 2020, mainly due to the growing demand for its mid-range A and M series smartphones. Samsung’s annual shipments increased despite supply-side problems following the closure of a Vietnamese factory in June due to a COVID-induced lockdown.

Its exports grew by 67 million a year in the last quarter, but growth has been limited by fierce competition from Apple and Chinese brands in some markets, such as India and Latin America. However, the brand received a good following with the launch of its third-generation foldable phone, which worked well in the premium segment.

Apple’s global smartphone shipments increased by 18% in 2021 to a record 237.9 million units in 2021, thanks to the strong performance of the iPhone 12 series. Apple has also grown in key markets such as the US, China, Europe and India. In China, thanks to the iPhone 13, it became the top smartphone brand in Q4, resulting in Samsung becoming the top smartphone in the world by Q4 2021.

Xiaomi’s global smartphone shipments grew by 31% YoY to reach a record 190 million units by 2021. Much of this growth was driven by regions such as India, China, Southeast Asia and Europe in the first half of the year.

Oppo is one of the top smartphone players to achieve 2021 shipments at a record level, up 28% YYY to 143.2 million units. Its performance in China was strong in the first half of the year, while in the second half it increased in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and Southeast Asia.

Vivo reached 131.3 million units of annual cargo in 2021, a growth of 21%. Vivo utilizes its strong offline and extensive product portfolio to achieve its highest annual merchandise worldwide. However, in Q21 2021, it fell to 9% YY as Apple lost its number one position in the Chinese smartphone market.