Tag: Smartphone Market Share

  • Sony Limits Xperia Phone Availability in European Market

    Sony Limits Xperia Phone Availability in European Market

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Sony Xperia 1 VII stands out by including a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD card slot, which are rare in high-end smartphones.
    2. Sony is the only brand offering a telephoto camera with a genuine zoom lens in its smartphones.
    3. Despite its unique features, Sony holds only 3.5% of the global smartphone market share, lagging behind competitors like Samsung.
    4. Sales of the Xperia 1 VII have been suspended globally due to reports of crashes and unexpected shutdowns, with restricted availability in Europe.
    5. Sony plans to maintain warranty and update support but is evaluating the viability of selling Xperia phones in certain regions, following a 40% decline in sales in Japan in 2023.

    Smartphones such as the Sony Xperia 1 VII are quite unique since Sony provides a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD card slot. These features are very uncommon in the high-end smartphone market. Additionally, Sony is the only brand that has a telephoto camera with a genuine zoom lens. Even with these distinctive offerings, Sony struggles to keep up with competitors like Samsung. Insider Monkey reported that in the first half of 2024, Sony held a mere 3.5 percent of the global market share, only slightly ahead of HMD Global, ZTE, and Asus.

    Sales Halted

    Recently, sales of the Xperia 1 VII have been suspended globally due to a rising number of user reports about crashes and unexpected shutdowns. The reason behind this problem remains unclear. Sony has confirmed to Suomimobili that the availability of Xperia devices in Europe will be restricted moving forward. In Finland, several models will not be available at all. In other European nations, Xperia smartphones are expected to be sold mainly through Sony’s official online shop and Amazon, which means local retailers in those areas may not be able to sell these devices. Suomimobili also suggests that Sony might be planning to completely exit the European smartphone market.

    Future Plans

    In reaction to these issues, Sony has simply stated that it will uphold all warranty and update responsibilities. The company mentioned that it continuously evaluates demand and profitability to decide if selling Xperia phones in certain areas is viable. A Bloomberg article citing IDC data revealed that Sony’s smartphone sales in Japan saw a dramatic decline of 40% in 2023. Since that time, Sony has not released any official sales figures for its Xperia models.

    Suomimobili | Bloomberg | Insider Monkey

    Source:
    Link

     

    Tags: , ,
  • Honor X50 Surpasses iPhone 16 Pro Max Sales in China

    Honor X50 Surpasses iPhone 16 Pro Max Sales in China

    Canalys’ recent smartphone shipment report for Q3 2024 reveals that the Honor X50 has surpassed Apple’s premium iPhone 16 Pro Max in sales within mainland China. The Honor X50 achieved a 2.8% market share, placing it in third position, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max managed to secure fifth place with a 2.1% share.

    Price Difference Matters

    The significant difference in pricing between these two smartphones likely contributed to this result. Currently, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is approximately seven times more expensive than the Honor X50 in China. The lower price point of the Honor X50 is probably a major factor driving its popularity among consumers.

    With a price tag of around $200 in mainland China, the X50 boasts a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip, up to 16GB of RAM, and offers 512GB of storage. It also features a 6.6-inch 120Hz 1.5K AMOLED screen on the front along with an in-display fingerprint scanner.

    Competing with Other Brands

    The Honor X50’s triumph didn’t solely come at the expense of the iPhone 16 Pro Max; it also outperformed other high-end rivals like the Redmi K70 Ultra (known as the Xiaomi 14T Pro worldwide), which finished in seventh place with a 2.3% market share.

    While Huawei has been actively working to regain its market position in China, only one of its models, the Pura 70—a newly launched flagship—managed to make it into the top 10, ending up in sixth place.

    The Market Landscape

    Interestingly, the leading position was taken by Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max, which captured a 3% share of the market. The other positions in the top 10 list reflect a blend of affordability and brand preference. Vivo’s Y37 came in at tenth place, while Oppo’s A3x secured fourth place, both being budget-friendly choices. Notably, the iPhone 15 Pro and the standard iPhone 15 occupied the eighth and ninth spots respectively, with the iPhone 16 Pro completing the list in fifth position.

    Image 1
    Tags: , ,
  • Honor X50 Tops iPhone 16 Pro Max in China’s Top 10 Smartphones

    Honor X50 Tops iPhone 16 Pro Max in China’s Top 10 Smartphones

    The Honor X50 has secured the third position in Canalys’ recent smartphone shipment report for the third quarter of 2024, capturing 2.8% of the overall Chinese market, surpassing the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

    Price Comparison

    Currently, the starting price of the iPhone is around seven times higher than that of the X50 in China, which may explain why consumers favored the Honor model in the latest rankings.

    Specifications and Features

    Moreover, the device, powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, has made its debut as the first smartphone boasting improved Honor Taichi durability. It has received an SGS-certified “five-star drop resistance rating” for its curved glass body, along with a 120Hz 1.5K AMOLED display.

    The X50 outperformed other high-end phones, such as the Redmi K70 Ultra, which is also sold as the Xiaomi 14T Pro on Amazon. The Redmi K70 Ultra landed in 7th place, only achieving a 2.3% market share in the latest report.

    Huawei and Other Competitors

    Huawei has been making significant efforts to regain its market share in China over the past years but only managed to have one entry in this latest top 10 list. The Pura 70, ranked #6, belongs to the company’s newer flagship series.

    In the 10th spot, Vivo’s Y37 made an appearance, while Oppo climbed to 4th place with its A3x, both of which are budget-friendly options.

    Market Leaders

    Ultimately, Apple maintained its lead with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, responsible for 3% of all smartphone shipments in China. The iPhone 15 Pro and the standard 15 held positions #8 and #9, while the 16 Pro rounded out the top 5 list.

    Image 1
    Tags: , ,
  • Pixel 9 Series Launches as Google Targets Big Market Growth

    Pixel 9 Series Launches as Google Targets Big Market Growth

    Google has strategically unveiled the Pixel 9 series, which includes several models, to potentially increase its market share. By launching these devices before Apple’s iPhone 16 series, Google is aiming to take advantage of the upcoming holiday shopping season and secure a larger portion of the global smartphone market, as reported by TechInsights.

    Google’s Pixel 9 Series Could Spur Significant Market Share Growth

    The new Pixel lineup features the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the anticipated Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This model is notable for its subtle yet meaningful improvements over last year’s Pixel Fold. Known for appealing to tech enthusiasts and high profit margins, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is likely to enhance Google’s reputation for technological advancement.

    In addition to the foldable model, Google has also launched the Pixel 9 Pro, a smaller variant that offers nearly identical specifications to the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL. This strategy is aimed at attracting users who prefer more compact devices without compromising on performance, potentially expanding the appeal of the Pixel 9 series to a broader audience.

    Global Expansion Strategy

    A key aspect of Google’s strategy is the worldwide rollout of the Pixel 9 series. The lineup will be available in 32 markets globally, reflecting Google’s ambition to meet the double-digit growth targets projected by TechInsights for 2024 and 2025.

    By widening its market reach, Google aims to strengthen its foothold in the competitive smartphone industry, even though there are no plans to launch the Pixel 9 series in China.

    TechInsights also highlights that the global smartphone market grew by 7.6% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2024, totaling 289.6 million units. This marks the third consecutive quarter of recovery, spurred by strong demand in emerging markets such as Africa, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific.

    Currently, Samsung leads the market with a 19% share, followed by Apple at 15%. Brands like Xiaomi, Vivo, and Transsion have also performed well, although their growth rates are starting to decelerate.

    Despite challenges like inventory corrections and geopolitical uncertainties, competition among leading smartphone brands remains intense, with emerging markets continuing to drive global growth.

    Pixel 9 Series Launches as Google Targets Big Market Growth
    Tags: , ,
  • iPhone 15 Series Now Available at Record-Low Prices in China

    iPhone 15 Series Now Available at Record-Low Prices in China

    Apple is resorting to significant price cuts on its iPhone 15 lineup in mainland China to revive sluggish sales. Major online retailers like JD.com and Alibaba’s Tmall platform are offering the phones at new lows.

    For instance, the top-tier 256GB iPhone 15 Pro Max is now priced at 7,949 yuan ($1,100) on these platforms. That’s a big 2,050 yuan (20%) reduction from its initial September 2023 launch price of 9,999 yuan.

    Price Reductions Across Models

    The base 128GB iPhone 15 also sees a 23% price drop, going from 5,999 yuan ($829) to 4,599 yuan ($635).

    Note that Apple’s official mainland online store is listing the iPhone 15s at their original launch price. The discount is only available on major e-commerce platforms.

    Apple is believed to be offering such aggressive discounts to reignite Chinese audience interest in their flagship product. For those unaware, iPhone sales in Greater China (including mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan) dipped by 8% to US$16.4 billion in the March quarter.

    Competitive Market Moves

    Apple’s unusual discount strategy in Chinese online marketplaces began in January. It came after several Chinese manufacturers like Xiaomi and Honor slashed prices of their phones on both online and offline markets.

    So in the same month, Apple itself offered discounts of up to 800 yuan on its mainland online store for iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, AirPods, and Apple Watches.

    According to market research firm Counterpoint, Apple’s market share in mainland China’s smartphone market shrunk to 15.7% in the March quarter, down from 20.2% a year earlier.

    Market Share and Competition

    The decline placed them behind Vivo (17.4% share) and Honor (16.1% share). Huawei, with its successful 5G handset comeback featuring the Mate 60 Pro, secured a 15.5% market share during the same period.

    Despite the concerns, the discounts on iPhones may be yielding some positive results for Apple. Data published by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology earlier this month suggests that shipments of foreign-branded smartphones in China grew 12% compared to March 2023. While the academy didn’t specify the brand, Apple typically dominates foreign handset sales in mainland China.

    Tags: , ,
  • iPhone Sales Slowing, Android Gaining

    iPhone Sales Slowing, Android Gaining

    The ongoing competition between iOS and Android continues as Apple introduces new iPhone models each year, while companies like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Oppo aggressively pursue increased market presence. Despite this long-standing battle, recent trends suggest a shift in the landscape. A recent report indicates a decline in iPhone activation rates, with Android now dominating the market share. Let’s delve into the specifics…

    iPhone Activation Rates Decline in the US as Android Sees Surge

    A recent report by CIRP highlights a notable decrease in iPhone activations in the U.S. when compared to Android devices. Activation, the process of registering a new phone with Apple, serves as a crucial metric for market share analysis. The latest data reveals that Apple’s share of new smartphone activations in the U.S. has dropped to levels not witnessed in the past six years.

    The report illustrates a sharp decline in the rate of new iPhone activations in the United States over the past year. Previously standing at 40% during the first two quarters of 2023, this rate plummeted to 33% in the initial quarter of 2024. This downward trend indicates a rising market share for Android devices, now constituting two out of every three new activations. This downturn marks Apple’s lowest rate since 2017. CIRP speculates on several potential factors contributing to this shift.

    Factors Behind the Decline in iPhone Activations

    One significant factor could be the perceived lack of innovative features in recent iPhone iterations, failing to offer sufficient motivation for consumers to upgrade. Additionally, existing iPhone models continue to perform well; even owners of an iPhone 11 find their devices adequately functional. The consistent design aesthetics of iPhones have also deterred users from switching to newer models.

    Conclusion

    The dynamics of smartphone activations in the U.S. are witnessing a notable transformation as Android claims a larger share of the market, while iPhone activations experience a decline. This shift underscores the importance of innovation and consumer incentives in the fiercely competitive realm of mobile devices.

    Tags: , ,