Apple and Samsung have always been in a close competition for market share. Following the release of both companies’ new products—the iPhone 16 series and the new Galaxy Z series—they now hold nearly equal shares of the market.
Both brands currently hold 18% of the market, placing them at the top, with Xiaomi taking the third spot.
According to a new report from technology market analysis firm Canalys, Apple and Samsung both captured 18% of the market share in Q3 2024, but Samsung still slightly edges out its rival, keeping its position ahead. Xiaomi follows in third place with 14% market share, while Oppo and Vivo each hold 9%, rounding out the top five companies.
Additionally, Apple’s broader product range appears to have played a key role in reducing delivery times. Although the iPhone 16 had a slow start, it is expected to boost Apple’s performance at the end of 2024 and continue this trend through the first half of 2025. This is especially true with Apple’s AI entering new markets and supporting more languages. Overall, the iPhone 16 series didn’t make much impact in Q3 as it was only available for three days. However, Apple could surpass Samsung in Q4 when the true effects of the iPhone 16 launch become evident.
Nevertheless, it will also be interesting to see how Xiaomi performs in Q4. The company recently launched the Redmi Note 14 series in China and is preparing to roll out the Xiaomi 15 series in its domestic market. A global release is likely to follow soon.
What this new analysis shows is that the gap between the top five smartphone manufacturers is narrowing, making the competition more intense than ever. While conditions are improving, demand remains unstable as companies face increasing global challenges in generating demand and navigating regulatory barriers.
On the other hand, other research firms predict that Apple could claim the title of the world’s largest mobile brand by 2025. This potential leap is likely due to the release of the iPhone SE 4 in 2025, which is expected to launch at an affordable price of $499, alongside the continued sale of older iPhone models in emerging markets like India.
Source: Android Authority