Counterpoint Research: Samsung and Apple continue to dominate the top ten list of smartphone sales in the second quarter

According to the Counterpoint Research's global monthly smartphone model sales tracking report, Samsung and Apple (AAPL.US) continued to dominate the top ten list of smartphone sales in the second quarter of 2024, holding a total of nine seats. However, this is a decrease from the previous year's second quarter when these two brands held all 10 seats. Apple maintained its presence on the list with its four iPhone models. However, the ranking of iPhones on the list has declined. While the iPhone 14 series and iPhone 13 held the top four positions in the second quarter of 2023, this quarter the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 15 Pro took the top three spots. The iPhone 14 only ranked sixth. Apple's total sales and market share contribution to the top ten smartphones in the second quarter of 2024 decreased compared to the previous year. However, the sales and market share of the Pro series increased, along with the decline in the ranking of older iPhone models, indicating a shift in consumer demand towards high-end smartphones. Although the ninth place ranking of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in the second quarter of 2024 seems contradictory to the trend towards high-end devices compared to the S23 Ultra's eighth place in the second quarter of 2023, the earlier release of flagship models this year shifted some sales to the first quarter. The top-ranked Samsung smartphone on the list this quarter is the Galaxy A15 5G, followed by its 4G version. The A15 series offers efficient multitasking capabilities and is popular in the mid-to-low-end market. The other two Samsung models on the list also belong to the A series. The mid-range Galaxy A55 5G, equipped with some interesting security features, ranked seventh. Another entry-level model, the Galaxy A05, ranked tenth. Taking a broader view, there are five high-end smartphones in the top ten in the second quarter of 2024, the same as in the second quarter of 2023, but their cumulative sales share of the global smartphone market has decreased by about 1.5%. The early release of the S24 Ultra and the challenges faced by the iPhone 15 series in China contributed to this decline, which does not reflect a broader trend. Additionally, a significant portion of the market share lost by Apple to Huawei's high-end models came from the Chinese market. With the increase in the number of GenAI smartphones, especially with the release of the iPhone 16 series later this year, the institution expects the trend towards high-end devices to continue in the long term