Samsung led global annual smartphone shipments in 2021 even as the market saw growth for the first time since 2017, a report by Counterpoint Research has said. The year saw a total smartphone shipments of 1.39 billion units, however, they remained below pre-pandemic level despite the 4 percent annual growth. The market research firm attributes this to continued COVID-19 impacts as well as component shortages. Interestingly, Q4 2021 shipments declined 6 percent on a year-over-year (YOY) basis to reach 371 million units. Meanwhile, Apple saw record shipments, and Xiaomi ed the most growth in absolute number of units shipped.
According to the latest report from Counterpoint Research's Market Monitor service, the global smartphone recovery in 2021 was due to increase in demand in regions like North America, Latin America and India. Growth in the US was driven largely by demand for Apple's first 5G-enabled iPhone 12 series, and it continued throughout the year. The growth in India was ed due to higher replacement rates, better availability and attractive financing options in mid-to high-tier phones.
“However, China, the world's biggest smartphone market, continued to decline due to supply-side issues caused by the ongoing component shortages, as well as demand-side issues resulting from lengthening replacement cycles,” said Harmeet Singh Walia, Senior Analyst at Counterpoint Research. He also said that the market recovery could have been even better if not for the component shortages that impacted much of the second half of 2021.
When it comes to OEMs, Xiaomi's global smartphone shipments grew the most, 31 percent on YoY basis, to reach a record 190 million units last year.
Infinix brands.