Canalys: 7% more smartphones were sold in 2024, globally
2024 saw a rebound in phones shipped, totalling 1.2 billion units, with Apple at the pole position. #smartphones #trend
iPhone 16 Pro Max (left) and the iPhone 15 Pro Max (right). Photo: HWZ.
The global smartphone market grew by 7% in 2024, defying the two years of decline before.
According to Canalys’ latest report, 1.22 billion units of phones were shipped internationally in 2024, a rebound from two consecutive years of decline.
2024 saw a return to form, after two consecutive years of shipment decline in smartphones sold around the world. Source: Canalys.
While the top brands largely maintained their rankings, a closer look at the numbers revealed that the smaller players are stepping up to the plate.
2024's smartphone shipment market share. Percentages in black represent market share presence, while percentages in green and red represents volume difference between 2023 and 2024. Source: Canalys.
Both Apple (ranked #1) and Samsung (ranked #2) saw a 1% decline in phones shipped year-on-year. They moved 225.9 million and 222.9 million units, respectively.
In contrast, brands like Xiaomi (ranked #3), Honor (ranked #7), OPPO (ranked #5) and even Vivo (ranked #6) all saw more phones shipped, seeing YoY growth of 15%, 13%, 3%, and 14% respectively. That said, only Xiaomi came close to the top two brands, with ~14% market share (Apple and Samsung are both ~18%).
The global numbers also included the Mainland China market, where brands like Huawei (ranked #9 at 4% market share) saw a 36% increase compared to the previous year.
Which was the best-selling smartphone model in 2024?
iPhone 15 (left) and iPhone 15 Plus (right) from our reviews. Photo: HWZ.
According to Canalys, it’s the Apple iPhone 15 (review here), chalking up 3% of total shipments in 2024. In second place was the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (review here).
2024 smartphone shipments by model type (left) versus 2023's comparison (right). Source: Canalys.
This was flipped in the previous year (2023), where the iPhone 14 Pro Max (review here) was at the top, and it was closely followed by iPhone 14 (review here).
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Photo: HWZ.
An interesting observation is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (review here), which snuck into the list of top-selling phones in 2024. If you look at the 2023 chart, you will see that Samsung’s premium flagship series didn’t even make the cut.
“In Apple’s case, shipments of the 16 Pro and Pro Max in 2024 were 11% higher than the 15 Pro and Pro Max in 2023, reaching over 55 million units. The performance of the Pro models in the 16 series was a key driver to the iPhone 16 outperforming the launch year performance of the iPhone 15. Samsung delivered its strongest S-series volume since 2019, skewed more toward the Ultra than ever before. It aspires to continue the S-series growth with the Galaxy S25, through a continued focus on AI-powered experiences including a complementary Gemini Advanced subscription. Upgrading current users of the mid-range A-series to the standard and plus models will be a key element for Samsung to achieve its ambition,” said Sanyam Chaurasia, Senior Analyst, Canalys.
If you’re in the market for smartphone data (like we are), don’t forget to check out Canalys’ Smartphone Analysis Service, which provides very nerdy and business-oriented details about the phones we see every day.
Source: Canalys (newsroom)
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