Global smartphone shipments hit 394.6 million units in Q4 2020: Report

According to the new Counterpoint report, the Indian smartphone market saw a decline of 11% QoQ but grew by 17% YoY.

Apple was the world's top smartphone brand with a market share of 21%. (Apple )

Global smartphone shipments recorded a decline of 1.6% year-on-year but grew by 8% quarter-on-quarter to reach 394.6 million units in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to the latest Counterpoint Research report.

According to the report, Apple was the top smartphone brand with a 21% market share. Apple's growth was driven by the popularity of the 5G-enabled iPhone 12 series. The Cupertino-based giant did well in markets in North America and Europe. Samsung stayed at the second spot in 2020 with a 19% share of the global smartphone market.

Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi grabbed the top three spots  (Counterpoint Research)

Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi grabbed the top three spots  (Counterpoint Research)

The Counterpoint report also shed light on the Indian smartphone market. According to the report, the Indian smartphone market saw a decline of 11% QoQ but grew 17% YoY. The growth was mainly due to the pent-up and holiday season demands. Overall in Asia, Vivo and Apple both had a 15% market share. Xiaomi, Oppo and Huawei grabbed the following spots with 14%, 13%, and 12% market shares, respectively.

Features phones segment

Global feature phone shipments saw a recovery in the fourth quarter of 2020 from the previous quarter. The segment saw a growth of 9% QoQ but a 24% decline YoY.

iTel was the top feature phone brand in the world (Counterpoint Research)

iTel was the top feature phone brand in the world (Counterpoint Research)

According to the report, India displaced the Middle East and Africa as the world's biggest feature phone market. India had 37% of the market share, as compared to MEA's 32%, added the report.

“Shipments in China more than doubled from Q3 2020 to reach 1.9 million units in Q4 2020. Shipments in North America declined another 22% QoQ in Q4 2020 after a 50% QoQ decline in Q3 2020. From the brand point of view, the global feature phone market remained stable with itel, HMD and TECNO retaining the top three positions respectively,” the report concluded.