PC makers aren’t the only ones casting a dark shadow in 2022. According to Canalys estimates, smartphone shipments fell 11% year-on-year, the worst result in a decade.
The fourth quarter was even worse, with shipments down 17% from the end of 2021. It was also the worst fourth quarter in a decade, according to analysts.
Many of the industry’s heavyweights were also hit hard. In 2022, only the two biggest brands, Apple and Samsung, will grow their market share to 19% and 22%, respectively.
Chinese rivals Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo have retreated. It’s no surprise that Apple overtook Samsung last quarter (the iPhone 14 family was brand new and the Galaxy S22 relatively old).
But in the fall, Apple had 25% and Samsung had “only” 20%. In other words, high-end brands remained stable.
You may already know why the market crashed. A combination of tough economic conditions and supply problems has impacted demand and created shortages.
Even if you could buy the smartphone of your dreams, you probably had a hard time finding it. Therefore, each company held a sale and did its best to attract customers and clear out unsold inventory.
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