May 17, 2024 – Over the past decade from 2014 to 2024, Samsung has emerged as the clear leader in smartphone shipments, with nearly 3 billion units shipped, according to data from the investment analysis platform AltIndex, which is based on figures released by IDC. This impressive tally puts Samsung ahead of Apple by a significant margin of 700 million units, representing a 33% advantage.
The rivalry between Samsung and Apple can be traced back to 2010 when Samsung launched its Galaxy series to compete directly with Apple’s iPhone. Since then, the two tech giants have been locked in a tight battle for the title of the world’s largest smartphone supplier.
Remarkably, both companies have maintained a roughly equal market share of around 20% over the years. However, Samsung has consistently outsold Apple, thanks largely to the popularity of its Galaxy A series.
According to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, Samsung’s smartphone shipments over the past ten years have nearly reached the 3 billion mark, outpacing Apple by 33%.
2014 was a particularly strong year for Samsung, with global shipments of its Galaxy series smartphones peaking at 292.3 million units. Although the company’s annual shipments declined by 18% to 258 million units by the end of 2022, it still maintains a significant market presence.
In the first quarter of 2024, Samsung held a 20.8% share of the global smartphone market, down from 30.7% in the first quarter of 2014. Meanwhile, Apple has also seen steady growth in its annual shipments. Between 2014 and 2015, iPhone sales surged by 20% to reach 231 million units.
Since 2019, iPhone sales have increased by 22%, hitting a record high of 231.8 million units last year. Apple’s market share has grown by 2% during this period, reaching 17.3% in the first quarter of this year.
The ongoing competition between Samsung and Apple highlights the dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of the smartphone market. As both companies continue to innovate and release new products, consumers can expect even more exciting developments in the years to come.
