Global smartphone shipments down 11% in 2022

January 20, 2023  10:30

In the fourth quarter of 2022, global shipments of smartphones decreased by 17% year-on-year, and by 11% for the whole of last year, amounting to less than 1.2 billion devices. This is stated in the report of Canalys, a company engaged in the analysis of the global technology market.

Apple currently holds the largest market share—at 25%, despite falling demand and production problems at its factory in Zhengzhou, China.

However, Apple only took the top spot in the fourth quarter, whereas the largest smartphone supplier for the entire year was Samsung, which is now in second place with a 20% market share. Xiaomi retained third place, although its share fell to 11% in the fourth quarter. Rounding out the top five are OPPO and vivo with 10% and 8% market share, respectively.

As Canalys research analyst Runar Bjorhovde writes, smartphone suppliers have faced challenging macroeconomic conditions throughout 2022, with both 2022 and the fourth quarter posting their worst performance in a decade. Moreover, in the fourth quarter of 2021, the picture was completely different and there was an increase in the demand for smartphones.

At the end of 2022, the situation slightly improved thanks to the New Year holidays, during which manufacturers managed to sell a bit more devices. But at the same time, throughout the year, the demand for smartphones in the low and middle price segments decreased, and in the fourth quarter, the demand for expensive devices also began to decrease.

As noted by Canalys research analyst Chiew Le Xuan, suppliers are cautiously approaching 2023, and they are now focusing on profitability and maintaining their market share. And in order to adapt to the new market reality, they are trying to reduce costs.

According to Canalys forecasts, against the backdrop of easing inflationary pressures, the smartphone market may experience steady or small growth this year. On the other hand, according to Chiew Le Xuan, the market's potential will be negatively affected by rising interest rates, slowing economic growth, and growing tension in the labor market.

And according to Counterpoint research experts' forecasts, the supply of flexible (foldable) smartphones in the global market may increase to 22.7 million units in the fiscal year 2023. Although flexible smartphones occupy only a small share of this market, the growth will be quite impressive—at 52%.


 
 
 
 
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