Global smartphone market grew 32% in Q3 2020: Counterpoint

The global smartphone market grew 32% quarter-on-quarter with 366 million units shipped in Q3 this year, according to the latest data from Counterpoint Research. The increase in shipments shows recovery signs of smartphone markets globally mainly due to eased lockdown conditions.

Samsung continued to be the leader achieving the highest ever shipment in the last three years. It shipped 79.8 million units with a major boost from the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy A-series. Samsung even surpassed Xiaomi in India with a boost in sales from the company’s popular Galaxy M-series. Huawei is still on the second spot but its share dropped from 20% in the last quarter to 14% in the present quarter. Xiaomi followed with 46.2 million units shipped, and Apple with 41.7 million units.

Xiaomi also achieved its highest-ever shipments this quarter with 46.2 million units. Apple however, saw iPhone shipments decline 7% YoY in Q3, and this was mainly due to the delayed launch of the new iPhone 12 series which is expected to bring in good results next quarter.

Counterpoint Research highlighted Realme’s rapid growth as it became the fastest brand to reach 50 million shipments. “realme grew to become one of the top 5, or even top 3, brands in its key markets, including India, Russia, Bangladesh, Philippines and some other Southeast Asian countries. Having released a strong 5G smartphone portfolio during Q3, realme also achieved a remarkable growth in the China market (90% QoQ in terms of sales volume),”Counterpoint Research Analyst Abhilash Kumar said.