Global Smartphone Sales Decline 6.8% in Q3
STAMFORD, Conn. — Smartphone sales across the globe dropped 6.8% in the third quarter of 2021, when compared to the same period last year.
Component shortages disrupted production schedules, leading to lower inventory and delayed product availability, which eventually impacted sales to end-users, according to the market research firm Gartner last month.
The current shortage of components, such as radio frequency and power management integrated circuits, delayed smartphone production globally, Gartner said. This disrupted the supply-demand equilibrium and end users were burdened with limited choices at point of sale.
Sales of premium smartphones continued to grow even though overall smartphones sales declined in the quarter.
“Despite strong consumer demand, smartphone sales declined due to delayed product launches, longer delivery schedule and insufficient inventory at the channel,” said Anshul Gupta, senior research director, Gartner.
“Supply constraints impacted the production schedule of basic and utility smartphones much more than premium smartphones.”
Samsung ranks No. 1 in smartphone sales in the the third quarter of 2021, though its market share declined 1.9% year over year, according to Gartner. Despite the overall decline, Samsung experienced growth of its premium smartphones, led by strong demand for revamped foldable smartphones.
Apple ranks No. 2 in sales, and Xiaomi ranks No.3 in the period, Gartner said.
Chinese smartphone vendors Xiaomi, Vivo, and OPPO increased their year-over-year market share 1%, 2.4%, and 1.7%.
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Worldwide Smartphone Sales to End Users in 3Q21
(Thousands of Units)
| Vendor | 3Q21 Units |
3Q21 Market Share (%) |
3Q20 Units |
3Q20 Market Share (%) |
| Samsung | 69,002.7 | 20.2 | 80,816.0 | 22.1 |
| Apple | 48,458.6 | 14.2 | 40,598.4 | 11.1 |
| Xiaomi | 44,483.3 | 13.0 | 44,405.4 | 12.1 |
| Vivo | 36,005.9 | 10.5 | 29,788.8 | 8.1 |
| OPPO | 33,623.9 | 9.8 | 29,850.4 | 8.1 |
| Others | 110,718.4 | 32.3 | 140,807.8 | 38.4 |
| Total | 342,292.8 | 100.0 | 366,266.9 | 100.0 |
Note: Due to rounding, some figures may not add up to the totals shown.
(Source: Gartner)
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