Canalys: Samsung is still on top of the smartphone market, Apple back at number 2 (Q3 2021)

Research firm Canalys yesterday revealed its full data on the global smartphone market share for Q3 2021. It has plenty of similarities with its preliminary report.

iPhone 13 Pro and Galaxy Z Flip3 5G

Apple is back at the number 2 spot after defeating Xiaomi

Due to the global chipset shortages, smartphone shipments fell by 6 percent in Q3 2021. Apple re-took second place from Xiaomi thanks to the launch of the iPhone 13 series. Samsung is still on top. OPPO and vivo are at numbers 4 and 5, respectively.

The only glaring difference from the initial report is OPPO (including OnePlus) is at number 4 while its BBK cousin vivo dropped to number 5.

Canalys notes that the iPhone 13 had a strong start and pre-orders were high. Also, unlike last year, Apple could use the full might of its retail stores to drive sales. The new iPhone 13 is a compelling upgrade for customers with 2 or 3-year-old iPhone. It will face some supply issues in Q4 2021 though, but its high-end devices are less exposed than many competitors, and it will still be aiming for the top spot next quarter.

For Android, Canalys is calling the situation "less rosy". But, the situation differs from vendor to vendor. Samsung again struggled with the supply of its Galaxy A series, Xiaomi also saw demand outstrip supply after a "blockbuster performance" last quarter. Meanwhile, OPPO and vivo had a rebound in Q3 after COVID ravaged core markets in South Asia in the previous quarter. Other large vendors like Transsion and realme are also showing positive signs with increased shipments amid global expansion. Lenovo is also thriving in the Americas following the exist of LG.

But, outside of the top 10, smaller brands are generally suffering.

Samsung shipped over 3 million of its new foldables, but it is not enough to fill the of the lack of a Galaxy Note phone this year. Rivals like Google Pixel 6 Pro and Xiaomi 11T Pro are now circling this vaccum.

Anyway, the phones in the top 5 last Q3 are:

Top 5 smartphone vendors Q3 2021

1. Samsung - 69.4 million units shipped - 21 percent of the market share

2. Apple - 49.2 million units shipped - 15 percent of the market

3. Xiaomi - 44.0 million units shipped - 14 percent of the market

4. OPPO - 36.7 million units shipped - 11 percent of the market

5. vivo - 34.2 million units shipped - 11 percent of the market

The secret number is BKK group with mobile brands like OPPO, vivo, OnePlus, realme, iQOO. OPPO and vivo combined are bigger than Samsung.

The total units shipped in Q3 2021 is 326 million.

To read the full report, check the source below.

Source: Canalys