While India’s smartphone shipments remained flat in 2023 at 152 million units, Samsung and Chinese mobile phone makers vivo and Oppo were able to grow their shares, according to Counterpoint’s Monthly India Smartphone Tracker report.

“Apple’s focus on India is also aiding the trend, with the brand surpassing the 10-million-unit mark in shipments and capturing the top position in revenue in a calendar year for the first time, propelled by robust demand for both its latest and older iPhones. The opening of own retail stores and increasing focus on large-format retail through regular promotions contributed to increased offline shipments,” Shubham Singh, Research Analyst at Counterpoint Research said…Read more

The post Apple tops India smartphone market in revenue share in 2023, Samsung in volumes: Counterpoint appeared first on Counterpoint.

The post Import duty for mobile components slashed to 10 percent appeared first on Counterpoint.

The post India’s electric vehicle boom stalls over charging challenges appeared first on Counterpoint.

The post Samsung bets on smart ring as fitness tech gathers pace appeared first on Counterpoint.

EV sales in Thailand made up a little over 7% of all passenger vehicle sales in the country in the third quarter of 2023, Counterpoint data also showed, but it is one of the fastest growing EV markets in Southeast Asia, aided by government subsidies and policies…Read more

The post Exclusive: BYD’s Thai distributor to triple EV dealerships, expand commercial offerings appeared first on Counterpoint.

The post TSMC beats profit and revenue expectations in the fourth quarter appeared first on Counterpoint.

The recent smartphone sector downturn came amid a stall in meaningful leaps in technology that wowed users, such as a front-facing camera, larger displays or faster networks that let people stream content on their mobile devices. Generative AI offers a shot to bring back some novelty and compel consumers to upgrade their devices, said Tom Kang, a Seoul-based research director at Counterpoint.

Few smartphones command the global demand—and top dollar—of Samsung’s Galaxy S24 devices. Samsung is expected to account for half of the roughly 100 million smartphones equipped with generative AI capabilities to be shipped this year, with Google’s Pixel and major Chinese brands including Xiaomi and Vivo also contributing, according to Counterpoint.

But unlike Samsung, Chinese smartphone brands mainly serve their domestic market, with virtually no presence in the U.S. and some sales in Western Europe and India for their high-end models, Counterpoint said…Read more

The post Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Phones Go Heavy on Industry’s Next Big Hope: Generative AI appeared first on Counterpoint.

In recent years, the premium segment has emerged as the main growth driver in an otherwise-sluggish global smartphone market. The segment accounts for just under a quarter of smartphone sales globally but 60% of revenue, according to Counterpoint…Read more

The post Apple Goes on the Offensive as iPhone Sales Slip in Its Biggest Overseas Market appeared first on Counterpoint.

“Apple’s share is being challenged primarily by Huawei at the premium end of the market but also across the mid-high range in recent months from other Chinese competitors,” says Ivan Lam, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research…Read more

The post Apple offers a rare $70 discount on the iPhone 15 in China as competitors from Huawei and Honor eat into its market share appeared first on Counterpoint.

The post Counterpoint’s Kang on Samsung, Chips appeared first on Counterpoint.

The post VinFast to build India EV plant in $2bn investment in Tamil Nadu appeared first on Counterpoint.

“The clear standout in October has been Huawei with its turnaround on the back of its Mate 60 series devices. Growth has been stellar with its new launch marketing and strong media coverage around its ‘Made in China’ chipset,” said Archie Zeng, a China analyst for Counterpoint Research in a report on the Chinese smartphone market released in November.

Huawei captured about 13% of China’s smartphone market in 2023, up from 7.6% in 2022, estimates Ivan Lam, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research…Read more

The post Huawei’s homegrown operating system, launched after the company was put on a U.S. blacklist, may soon overtake Apple’s iOS in China appeared first on Counterpoint.

Samsung and Qualcomm are immediate leaders as current product offerings and capabilities position them as first movers,” the Counterpoint researchers wrote in December…Read more

The post Samsung Places AI at Forefront as 2024 Phone Launches Kick Off appeared first on Counterpoint.

This trend also signals a shift in consumer buying patterns in the smartphone market. “Considering the importance a smartphone holds, consumers are willing to spend more to get a high-quality device that they can use for a longer period. Owning the latest and greatest flagships has also become a status symbol for many consumers, especially in emerging markets,” says Varun Mishra, senior analyst, Counterpoint Research…Read more

The post India emerges as fastest growing ‘premium’ smartphone market in 2023 appeared first on Counterpoint.

Counterpoint Research estimates about 16mn foldable phones will be sold this year, just 1.3 per cent of the 1.2bn smartphone market total.

Sales of the devices in the third quarter of 2023 more than doubled over the same period last year, according to Counterpoint…Read more

The post Smartphone makers bet on foldables to revive lacklustre market appeared first on Counterpoint.

The preliminary data shows generative AI (GenAI) smartphones will see shipments rising to over 100 million units in 2024, the report “GenAI Smartphone Shipments and Insights” from Counterpoint Research’s Smartphone 360 Service says.

Notably, Samsung had earlier highlighted the use case of its Galaxy AI on smartphones. Companies like Qualcomm, says Counterpoint, will likely capture over 80% of the GenAI smartphone market for the next two years.

Counterpoint research director Tarun Pathak says: “The share of GenAI smartphones in the overall smartphone market will be in single digits through next year. But those numbers will not accurately reflect the amount of excitement and marketing hyperbole we are expecting to see.” Read more

The post GenAI set to capture smartphone market; share hits 4% in 2023 appeared first on Counterpoint.

Although Chinese manufactures are eyeing Middle East and Africa (MEA) markets more broadly, Counterpoint said South Africa was seen as particularly attractive due to higher income levels and better connectivity infrastructure.

Chinese phone manufacturers such as HONOR, Xiaomi (1810.HK), opens new tab and Transsion (688036.SS), opens new tab are launching multiple products at lower price points to accelerate migration from more basic feature phones, Counterpoint added.

Smartphone shipments reached the highest level since 2021 in the quarter, just before the global economic slowdown started, Counterpoint said.

“South Africa is among the fastest-growing smartphone markets in the MEA region. As the nation’s economic situation is recovering, Chinese original equipment manufacturers are aggressively trying to capture demand,” Counterpoint’s senior research analyst Yang Wang said.

Still, Samsung led the market during the quarter despite the stiff competition. It was the leading brand across all price segments, with A-series devices continuing to drive volumes, Counterpoint said…Read more

The post South Africa smartphone shipments grow 73% as Chinese manufacturers push products appeared first on Counterpoint.

The post OpenAI Leadership Drama appeared first on Counterpoint.

In addition to facing competition from domestic rivals, Counterpoint analysts attributed Apple’s sluggish performance to supply chain issues that have constrained the availability of its new iPhone 15 models.

“Apple is improving compared to last month but there still seems to be hiccups in terms of supply,” said Ivan Lam, senior analyst for manufacturing at Counterpoint, adding that he expects the situation to normalize soon…Read more

The post Volume of Apple sales underperforms Huawei, Xiaomi on China’s Singles Day – Data appeared first on Counterpoint.

The global smartphone sales have been under stress for last two years affected by various issues starting with component shortages, inventory build-up and lengthening of replacement cycles, Counterpoint said in its report…Read more

The post Global smartphone market sees growth after over 2 years in October appeared first on Counterpoint.