Samsung regains the top spot in the global smartphone market in July-Aug: Counterpoint report

Samsung had lost the top spot in Huawei in April this year. With the markets re-opening, the Korean handset company has well recovered.

Samsung is widening the gap with market No. 2 Huawei. (Bloomberg)

Samsung bagged the top spot in the global smartphone market in August, according to a Counterpoint Research Monthly Market Pulse report. The company accounted for 22% of the global market share.

Samsung had lost the top spot to Huawei in April owing to a sharp decline in its important markets such as India and Europe. The report pointed out that the company well recovered in India between July and August.

The Korean giant reached its highest market share in India since 2018 as it implemented an aggressive online channel strategy amid growing anti-China sentiments in the country, added the report.

As far as Huawei goes, the Chinese handset company is set to lose more market share in the coming weeks due to the trade restrictions imposed by the US.

Apple, which had launched just one handset in 2020 before October, has surprisingly stayed on the course. Counterpoint analysts believe Apple will most likely see a surge in sales in November. The company will also benefit from the iPhone 11 series and successful run with the iPhone SE.

Global Smartphone Monthly Market Share (Apr 2020 vs Aug 2020) (Counterpoint Monthly Market Pulse)

Global Smartphone Monthly Market Share (Apr 2020 vs Aug 2020) (Counterpoint Monthly Market Pulse)

Xiaomi has also registered a significant surge in market share, especially in markets where Huawei has a strong presence such as Central Eastern Europe, the report added.

“Geopolitical policies and political affairs among nations are affecting the smartphone market in many ways. There will be heightened marketing activity to seize opportunities in these regions and segments. As a result, the concentration of top players in the smartphone market will be much stronger. We see players like Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi and OPPO benefiting the most,” Research Analyst Minsoo Kang said in a post.

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