Smartphone production is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels next year

Smartphones are a must, so their output will rise as economic activity recovers from the pandemic. This opinion is shared by experts from the analytical company TrendForce, expecting that the industry will recover as early as next year, and the production of smartphones will return to the level reached before the pandemic.

The main driving forces will continue to be the usual device replacement cycle and additional demand from emerging markets. TrendForce predicts that 1.39 billion smartphones will be released in 2022, or 3.8% more than this year.

The release of Samsung smartphones in 2022 is expected to reach 276 million units, an increase of 1.1% over 2021. That said, the South Korean smartphone giant is expected to continue to reorganize and expand its product range in an effort to maintain a high-end segment. The simultaneous increase in outsourcing will allow offering more competitive mid-range models, but Samsung pays less attention to the entry-level segment. Given that demand in emerging markets will continue to focus on entry-level models, Samsung will find it increasingly difficult to increase its market share.

Apple is credited with launching a third-generation iPhone SE by the end of the first quarter of 2022, with which the company will try to enter the mid-range 5G smartphone segment. Four more new models will be presented in the second half of the year. TrendForce expects the release of Apple smartphones in 2022 to reach 243 million units, a 5.4% increase over 2021, and will allow Apple to claim the second place in the smartphone market.

The next three positions will be taken by the Chinese brands Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo, which will be able to increase production by 15.8%, 2.5% and 6.4%, respectively. The shares of the five largest manufacturers are shown in the table: