Counterpoint: premium segment smartphone market shrank eight percent last quarter

During the first quarter of this year, eight percent fewer devices were sold in the premium segment of the smartphone market. Sales of the entire global smartphone market fell by ten percent during the first quarter of this year.

The premium smartphone segment includes according to Counterpoint Research only the devices that have a suggested retail price of $400 or higher from the manufacturer. The most popular devices in this segment are Apple’s iPhone 13 devices, according to the research firm. The regular iPhone 13 accounted for 23 percent of sales in the first quarter of this year. The 13 Pro Max got 13 percent, the 13 Pro 9 percent and the iPhone 12 about 8 percent. As a result, according to the research firm, Apple has a market share of 62 percent in this segment of the market. Last year it was reported to be 57 percent.

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, according to Counterpoint, accounted for 3 percent of sales and is the best-selling Android smartphone in this segment. Samsung’s market share decreased by two percent compared to the same period last year, from 18 percent in the first quarter in 2021 to 16 percent in the same period this year. The research firm points out that the later introduction of the Galaxy S22 series is the cause. According to Counterpoint, the S22 series could present good sales results, although it does not indicate how high they are.

Xiaomi is the brand with the third largest market share in the premium segment for the third consecutive quarter. After Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo are the companies with the most market share. The premium segment accounted for nearly two-thirds of the global smartphone market value during the first quarter of this year, according to Counterpoint.

Market shares in the premium segment of the global smartphone market. Counterpoint Research