The global smartphone market underwent a significant change in August 2024. While the competition for the top spot remains primarily between Apple and Samsung, the Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi has successfully surpassed Apple, making it the second largest smartphone seller in the world based on monthly sales volume.
According to a report from Counterpoint, Xiaomi’s sales remained steady in August, while Apple experienced a significant decline, allowing the Chinese company to capitalize on the opportunity.
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This shift in rankings has not occurred since August 2021, just before the launch of the iPhone 13.
The decline in Apple’s sales was anticipated, as the company typically unveils its new models in September, leading to a drop in purchases of previous generations. However, the introduction of the new model, the iPhone 16, is expected to drive a strong recovery in the company’s sales figures over the coming months.
Despite the expected bounce-back for Apple, Xataka reports that Xiaomi has had an outstanding year, with a 22% year-on-year growth in the second quarter of 2024. This rise can be attributed to the popularity of the Redmi 13 and Redmi Note 13, alongside their promotional efforts in Latin America.
Although Xiaomi currently holds the second position, analysts forecast that new releases from Apple might enable the American company to reclaim its top position or even ascend further in the global rankings.
| Brand | Position | Sales Change (YoY) | Key Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | 1 | 5% | Galaxy S23 |
| Xiaomi | 2 | 22% | Redmi Note 13 |
| Apple | 3 | -15% | iPhone 15 |
