Samsung Ranked '4th' in Global 5G Phone Market, Achieved Largest Growth in Q1... 79% Increase

[Asia Economy Reporter Joselgina] Samsung Electronics recorded a growth rate of 79% quarter-on-quarter in the global 5G smartphone market in the first quarter. Although its shipment volume ranked 4th, falling behind Apple and Chinese companies, its growth rate was the highest among major manufacturers. This is believed to be due to the launch effect of the Galaxy S21 series at the beginning of the year.

According to a report released on the 17th (local time) by global market research firm Strategy Analytics (SA), global 5G smartphone shipments reached 135.7 million units in the first quarter, up 6% quarter-on-quarter. By region, strong demand for 5G smartphones was observed mainly in the United States, China, and Western Europe. SA forecasted that the annual global 5G smartphone shipments will reach 624 million units this year, a sharp increase from 269 million units last year.

By manufacturer, Samsung Electronics showed the most remarkable growth in the global 5G smartphone market in the first quarter of this year. SA stated, "Samsung Electronics was the fastest-growing 5G smartphone vendor in the world in the first quarter," adding, "It is performing well with new 5G models such as the Galaxy S21 series." Samsung's 5G smartphone shipments in the first quarter were recorded at 17 million units, a 79% increase quarter-on-quarter.

However, Samsung Electronics, which holds the top spot in annual shipments in the overall smartphone market, is trailing behind latecomers Apple and Chinese companies in the 5G smartphone market. The first quarter shipment of 17 million units is less than half of Apple's 40.4 million units during the same period.

First quarter 5G smartphone shipments by manufacturer ranked Apple, Oppo, Vivo, Samsung, and Xiaomi. In the fourth quarter of last year, the order was Apple, Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi, and Samsung. Chinese Vivo, emphasizing cost-effectiveness, shipped 19 million units in the first quarter, growing 62% quarter-on-quarter thanks to the launch effect of new smartphones. Oppo and Xiaomi also grew 55% and 41%, respectively, during the same period. SA analyzed that this was due to strong demand for 5G smartphones within China.

In the case of first-place Apple, the effect of the first 5G smartphone 'iPhone 12' released in the second half of last year slowed down, resulting in a 23% decline quarter-on-quarter. Its market share, which was in the 40% range, dropped to 29.8%. IT media PhoneArena reported, "Apple's market share has fallen below 30%," and "Sales of the iPhone 12, the number one 5G smartphone, have started to lose momentum."

Woody Oh, SA Director, said, "Samsung Electronics is growing rapidly in the 5G smartphone market, but there is a large portfolio gap in China," adding, "Its presence in China, the largest 5G market, is very low, which is a significant obstacle."