Xiaomi ‘stepped in’ between Apple, Samsung

In addition to Apple and Samsung, Xiaomi is the only company whose product appears on the list of 10 best-selling smartphones in the second quarter.

Redmi 13C, belonging to the low-cost line, is a strategic product of Xiaomi. Photo: GSMChina.

According to data from market research firm Counterpoint Research, Apple and Samsung continued to dominate the list of 10 best-selling smartphones globally in the second quarter with 9 devices. The other model belongs to Redmi, Xiaomi’s sub-brand, which returns after 2 quarters of absence.

After a year, Apple still has 4 iPhone models on the list but the ranking has changed. If the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 occupy all 4 leading positions in the second quarter of 2023, this year, the iPhone 15, 15 Pro Max and 15 Pro models are still at the top, respectively, but the iPhone 14 is only ranked 6th.

Apple’s revenue share in the top 10 best-selling smartphones in the second quarter decreased compared to the same period last year. However, sales and market share of the Pro series alone increased, while the standard model and the older generation declined, indicating that users tend to switch to buying high-end phones.

In the second quarter, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra ranked 9th, down one spot from its predecessor in the same period last year.

According to Counterpoint Research, this result partly comes from the S24 Ultra launched earlier than the previous year, causing part of sales to move into the first quarter.

Samsung’s best-selling smartphone in the second quarter was the Galaxy A15 5G (ranked 4th), followed by the 4G version. With good multitasking capabilities, the A15 series is very popular in the low-end segment.

The other 2 smartphones of Samsung in the top 10 are also in the A series, including the Galaxy A55 5G (ranked 7th) and Galaxy A05 (10th). While the A55 is more expensive with some security features, the A05 belongs to the low-cost segment.

Market share of 10 best-selling smartphone models globally in the second quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2023. Photo: Counterpoint Research.

The other name in the top 10 is Redmi 13C 4G (ranked 8th), higher than its predecessor, Redmi 12C (ranked 9th, list of the third quarter of 2023).

The Redmi C is considered an upgrade over the A-series. The model is also sold in various markets, in addition to traditional countries in Asia, the Middle East & Africa, the Caribbean & Latin America.

Similar to last year, the 10 best-selling smartphones in the second quarter had 5 devices in the high-end line. However, total sales of these models decreased by about 1.5%.

According to Counterpoint Research, the early launch of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, while the iPhone 15 is difficult in China, contributed to the decline, although it does not reflect the general trend of the market. Most of Apple’s lost market share in China is falling to Huawei.

It is predicted that the demand for users to switch to high-end phones will last as smartphones integrated with generative AI, especially the iPhone 16, gradually launch at the end of the year.