Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, semiconductor shortages and other economic risks leading to a decrease in consumer activity, demand for smartphones continues to grow. Moreover, not only budget models, but also premium-class devices are popular among buyers. This is confirmed by a new report from the research company Counterpoint Research.
According to analysts at Counterpoint Research, global sales of premium smartphones, which include devices over $400, rose 24% last year, reaching the highest level in the history of the mobile industry. Now premium models account for 27% of the total sales of smartphones in the world. For comparison, in 2020 their share was 23%, and in 2016-2017 it did not exceed 19%.
According to analysts, the growth of the premium segment is due to several factors. Among them is an increase in demand for 5G models, which tend to be more expensive than 4G models with similar features. In addition, amid the shortage of semiconductors, many smartphone manufacturers have decided to focus on the production of premium devices in order to increase their margins.
Apple remains the leader in the smartphone market in the $400 and above price segment. Its share at the end of 2021 was 60%, which is a record value since 2017. Apple’s share growth was facilitated by high sales of the flagship iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 series. In second place is the Korean tech giant Samsung, whose share, on the contrary, decreased from 20% in 2020 to 17% in 2021. The share of Huawei, which continues to be under the impact of US sanctions. The long-suffering Chinese brand has lost about 7% of the market over the past year, but still remains the third largest manufacturer of premium smartphones.
Source: Trash Box
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