Apple Poised to Surpass samsung in Smartphone Shipments for First Time in Over a Decade
Cupertino, CA – November 26, 2024 – Apple is projected to ship more smartphones than Samsung in 2025, marking the first time the iPhone maker has led in annual shipments in 14 years, according to new data from Counterpoint Research. The shift signals a potential turning point in the fiercely competitive global smartphone market.
Counterpoint estimates Apple will ship approximately 243 million iPhone units in 2024, compared to Samsung’s 235 million. This translates to a projected 19.4% market share for Apple and 18.7% for samsung. While shipments to retail channels don’t directly reflect sales,they are a key indicator of demand and manufacturer expectations.
The strong performance is largely attributed to the successful launch of the iPhone 17 series in September. Sales in the United states during the first four weeks exceeded those of the iPhone 16 series (excluding the iPhone 16e model) by 12%, while sales in China, a crucial market for Apple, were 18% higher than the previous generation during the same period.
“Beyond the extremely positive market reception for the iPhone 17 series, the main factor behind the improved shipment estimate is that the replacement cycle has reached an inflection point.Consumers who bought smartphones during the COVID-19 boom are now entering the upgrade stage,” explained Counterpoint Research analyst Yang Wang.
Samsung faces increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers in the low and mid-tier smartphone segments, potentially hindering its ability to reclaim the top position. Apple has also benefited from a limited impact from global tariffs due to a US-China trade truce, bolstering its supply chain and growth in emerging markets, alongside a weaker US dollar and positive economic outlook.
“With these structural advantages, Apple is well positioned to overtake Samsung in annual shipments in 2025,” Wang stated.
