Skip to main content

Apple and Samsung nabbed 35.3 percent of the smartphone market in Q2 2017

Smartphone sales declined slightly in the past few months, but things are looking up. That is the consensus of analysts at the International Data Corporation (IDC), which on Wednesday published estimated phone shipments for the second fiscal quarter of 2017.

According to IDC’s report, smartphone makers like Samsung, Apple, LG, and HTC sold 341.6 million smartphones in the second quarter of this year, down slightly (1.3 percent) from the same quarter a year ago. Despite the decline, “leading vendors” like Samsung and Apple saw growth.

Recommended Videos

Samsung had a particularly successful quarter. Thanks to the indomitable Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus, and cheaper smartphones like the Galaxy A series and J series, the South Korean company shipped 79.8 million for a market share of 23.3 percent, up 1.4 percent from the same quarter last year.

Apple’s growth was nothing to shake a stick at, though. The Cupertino, California, company, spurred by double-digit sales of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, saw a 1.5 year-over-year uptick in overall phone sales to 41 million.

smartphones
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Three of the world’s top five smartphone vendors, meanwhile — Huawei, Oppo, and Xiaomi — all grew their shares during the second quarter. Success in China and strong global sales of the P10, Mate 9, and affordable Honor series led it to a third-place finish and 19.6 percent year-over-year growth. Oppo sold 27.8 million units, securing a fourth-place finish on 1.5 percent year-over-year growth. And Xiaomi achieved something of a coup, kicking Vivo from its fifth-place vendor spot with 58.9 percent growth in developing markets like India.

All that growth came at the expense of smaller smartphone makers, though. The market share among vendors outside the top five contracted 16 percent year-over-year, corresponding with a 4.3 percent decline in average phone price in 2016.

“It’s no secret that the smartphone market is a very challenging segment for companies to maintain or grow share,” Ryan Reith, program vice president with IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Device Trackers, said in a statement. “The smaller, more localized vendors will continue to struggle, especially as the leading volume drivers build out their portfolio into new markets and price segments.

IDC projects major growth this coming fiscal quarter when major new smartphones are expected to hit store shelves. Apple’s iPhone 8, which might launch as soon as September alongside a new iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus, is expected to feature an AMOLED display, wireless charging, and increased performance and durability. Samsung, not to be outdone by its chief rival, plans to unveil the Note 8 — the follow-up to last year’s ill-fated Note 7 — in August.

“Despite some key launches in the second quarter from some well-known players, all eyes will be on the ultra-high-end flagships set to arrive this fall,” Anthony Scarsella, research manager with IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, said in a statement.  “With [so many] devices […] in the pipeline, the competition will be fierce come September.”

Kyle Wiggers
Kyle Wiggers is a writer, Web designer, and podcaster with an acute interest in all things tech. When not reviewing gadgets…
Baseus power banks are the best way to charge your phone after these discounts
A woman holding a phone with a Baseus Am41 Magnetic Power Bank attached to it.

One of the worst things about being a doomscroller isn't the information you're getting, it's the fear that your battery will die and the scrolling will have to end. This is especially true if you're stuck without power, waiting for the doctor or dentist to finally call your name, or have any other sort of emergency. But, Baseus has you covered with their excellent selection of on-the-go power banks made for your iPhone. Since they're small and fit directly to your phone's magnet charging area, you can think of them more as battery extenders than anything. Plus, if your phone's internal battery is starting to have battery trouble, a Baseus charger is a great way to avoid an annoying battery change session. The best news, however, is that they're all on sale. Here's what you can expect to see coming up:

Baseus Am31 Mini Power Bank — Was $70, Now $50

Read more
Nothing Phone 3: A unique phone that’s not a true flagship
The Nothing Phone 3 in white

As smartphones have become extremely homogenous, companies must find unique ways to stand out from the crowd. For London-based Nothing, this has meant a singular company focus on blending smartphone features with unique designs that allow their phones to stand out in a sea of sameness.

The Nothing Phone 3 is the latest addition to a line of Nothing phones that are unique and polarizing in their design. Earlier this year, Nothing launched the Phone 3a Pro with a unique camera array, and the Phone 3 builds on this while also evolving the Nothing design language.

Read more
Plaud Note, the professional-tier AI notetaker, is 20% off for Prime Day
Four colleagues have a conversation around a Plaud Note AI notetaker.

Lately, as I've been working through stressful hospital visits with family, I've encountered something I haven't in quite awhile. As I hear doctors, nurses, and family say things, I'll be completely unable to remember them moments later. There's just too much going on all at once. Early in my career I encountered the same issue. There were just so many new facets of what I was doing entering my head all at once, from many sources, that it was impossible to keep track of it all. If only there were AI notetaking tools that have helped me through this. AI notetaking tools like Plaud Note and Plaud NotePin, which are both 20% off for Prime Day (from $159 to $127 for either device, saving you $32) and available by tapping the button below.

PLAUD Note Voice Recorder

Read more