Apple surpassed Samsung as the world’s largest smartphone maker in the fourth quarter

Apple overtook Samsung to become the world’s largest smartphone vendor in the fourth quarter of 2020, a feat Apple hasn’t achieved since 2016, according to market data from Gartner.

In the last quarter of 2020, Apple sold 80 million new iPhones, with sales largely driven by the launch of the first 5G-compatible iPhone series. Anshul Gupta, Senior Research Director at Gartner, says 5G and improved camera features helped customers upgrade to iPhone 12 models in the last quarter of the year.

“Even as consumers remained cautious with their spending and withheld some discretionary purchases, 5G smartphones and pro camera features encouraged some end users to buy new smartphones or upgrade their current smartphones this quarter.”

Compared to 2019, Apple sold more than 10 million additional iPhones in the fourth quarter and saw its global smartphone market share increase by nearly 15%. Samsung, Apple’s closest competitor, saw its market share decline by 11.8% and sold around 8 million fewer devices, according to market data, compared to just a year ago.

Apple’s nearly 15% increase in market share gave it an “upgrade super cycle,” said Annette Zimmerman, Apple’s chief analyst at Gartner, quoted by the Financial timesAccording to CEO Tim Cook, Apple saw the largest number of ‌iPhone‌ upgrades ever in the first quarter of 2021. The “iPhone” alone generated more than $ 65 billion in revenue in the first quarter of the year.

To be clear, however, global smartphone sales are down 12.5% ​​in 2020. Of the top five smartphone makers, Apple and Xiaomi were the only two unscathed by the global sales decline. Apple’s growth comes despite launching its iPhone 12‌ series outside of the normal September timeframe due to the global health crisis.

Around the world, the accelerated growth of 5G adoption around the world has increased the demand for 5G compatible smartphones. In a year plagued by economic hardship, consumers were looking for cheaper, affordable 5G smartphones, instead of more expensive models with price tags up to $ 1,500. In that regard, despite reports of poor performance, the iPhone 12 mini likely helped Apple overtake Samsung thanks to its small form factor and relatively affordable $ 699 price tag.

Looking further ahead into 2021, Gartner expects the availability of low-cost 5G smartphones, such as the “iPhone 12 mini”, to “be a decisive factor for end users to upgrade their existing smartphones.” Apple is expected to continue the “mini” model for next year’s model, and the entire iPhone 13 series is rumored to include an under-screen Touch ID sensor, which is always visible, and improved cameras.