- Counterpoint Research also shared that the global smartphones market showed signs of recovery during Q3 2019
- Realme, as per the report, was the fastest growing brand, jumping to seventh spot
The global smartphone market remained almost flat during Q3 2019, reaching 380 million units in shipments, as compared to 379.8 million units in Q3 2018. In terms of brands, Huawei, Realme, and Samsung registered positive growth, increasing their market share globally. Stronger demand in India and China in September, helped the global smartphone market to halt the seven-month streak of year-on-year (YoY) declines.
“The global smartphone market ended a long period of continuous YoY declines in Q3 2019 due to increased shipments in India and China, the two top-focus markets for every player in the mobile value chain,” shared Shobhit Srivastava, research analyst at Counterpoint Research.
oppo vivoBBK close to becoming the largest smartphone manufacturer group
Counterpoint’s research also highlighted that the owner of Oppo, Vivo, Realme and OnePlus is closing in on becoming the largest smartphone manufacturing group in the world. It accounted for over 20 per cent of the global smartphone market and three of its brands are in the top 10.
Realme remained the fastest-growing brand for the second time. It also climbed up the ladder in global rankings since its last appearance. This is one of the fastest ramp-ups of companies to-date. Strong performances in India and expansions overseas drove its growth. This was also the fourth consecutive quarter that Realme was within the top five brands in India.
“In India, smartphone OEMs started preparing early for the festive Diwali season this year with healthy channel buildups. In China, Huawei, Oppo & Vivo (HOV) continued to see healthy channel demand ahead of National Day Golden Week holiday break in October which led the market to grow a positive six per cent sequentially,” added Shobhit Srivastava.
Samsung, Huawei and Apple top three brands
The top three brands, Samsung, Huawei and Apple, together cornered almost half of the smartphone market, with the rest of the market left for hundreds of other brands to compete fiercely. Samsung continued its growth at 8.4 per cent YoY, capturing over one-fifth of the global smartphone market. This is due to strong Note 10 and Galaxy A series sales.
Huawei grew a very healthy 28.5 per cent YoY globally. It captured a record 40 per cent market share in the Chinese smartphone market. Apple iPhone shipments were down for per cent, and as a result revenues fell 11 per cent YoY. The positive response for the latest iPhone 11 series during the tail end of the quarter is a silver lining for Apple going into the holiday season quarter.
Tarun Pathak, associate director at Counterpoint Research, said, “The US trade ban on Huawei did not affect the overall brand’s shipments and growth in Q3 2019 after the uncertainties in June. Huawei’s strategy to supplement its decline in overseas market share with domestic push paid off handsomely. The rising sense of nationalism towards Huawei amidst US-China trade war coupled with aggressive go-to-market strategy in China helped Huawei boost mind share and market share domestically.”
