Although the global smartphone market is shrinking due to the economic downturn, sales of high-end smartphones have rather increased. In particular, Apple’s share in the premium market reached 75%.According to market research firm Counterpoint Research on the 23rd, global smartphone sales fell 12% year-on-year last year, but high-end smartphone sales rose 1%, accounting for 55% of global smartphone market sales for the first time. Sales of premium smartphones reached 252 million units last year.Premium smartphones refer to smartphones with wholesale prices exceeding $600. A Counterpoint Research study found that 21% of all smartphone sales were high-end smartphones, with smartphone sales exceeding $1000 rising 38% compared to 2021.”Even in difficult market conditions, high-income customers were relatively less affected,” he said. “As smartphones have become an important part of daily life, there is also a tendency to find expensive smartphones that can be used for a long time.”Apple has taken a large share of the high-end smartphone market. Apple’s sales in the premium market increased 6% year-on-year last year, accounting for 75% of its total sales. Counterpoint Research analyzed that more sales would have been made without production disruptions of the iPhone 14 Pro and Promax models due to China’s blockade at the end of last year.
Samsung Electronics maintained its second place with a 16% market share, although its sales in the premium market fell 5%. The weak position in the Chinese market and the delayed launch of the Galaxy S22 series were cited as the main reasons. However, the growth of the foldable smartphone market is a positive factor for Samsung Electronics.Premium sales of Huawei and Xiaomi fell 44% and 40%, respectively, last year. On the other hand, Honor grew 110% year-on-year and Google grew 118% over the same period. Counterpoint Research judged that Apple’s sales are increasing in both developed and emerging markets as the iOS ecosystem expands.”Android’s loss of market share to iOS in the premium market is one of the reasons Google is pushing for smartphones,” said Barun Misra, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research. “Android is expected to grow this year as more companies are expected to release foldable devices in the premium sector this year.”
Chang-young CHOI
US ASIA JOURNAL
