iPhone reigns supreme! Apple to become the world's top phone maker

"Apple is set to surpass Samsung to become the world's top phone maker for the first time in 14 years, experts reveal. Apple will ship around 243 million phones this year compared with 235 million for Samsung, according to Counterpoint Research. This equates to 19.4 per cent of the global smartphone market for Apple compared with 18.7 per cent for Korean rival Samsung. It puts the multi-trillion-dollar company above its Asian rivals for the first time since 2011."

"'In addition, we are seeing record demand coming from emerging markets like India, Middle East and Southeast Asia,' he told the Daily Mail. 'Apple has been actively working with channel partners to penetrate deeper in domestic markets, or setting up retail outlets directly. 'Added to the fact that the US dollar has depreciated during the course of the year, that has meant that consumers overseas have found a little bit more purchasing power and can afford an aspirational upgrade.'"

"Sales of the iPhone 17 series in the US during the first four weeks after launch were 12 per cent higher than those of the iPhone 16 series (excluding the 'budget' iPhone 16e). In China, sales of the iPhone 17 series during the same period were 18 per cent higher than its predecessor, even though the iPhone Air was not part of the initial launch. Meanwhile, in Japan, sales for the iPhone 17 series during the first four weeks were seven per cent higher than those for the previous generation."

Apple is projected to ship around 243 million phones this year versus Samsung's 235 million, giving Apple a 19.4% global smartphone market share compared with Samsung's 18.7%. Apple is expected to retain the top position through 2029 and possibly beyond. Strong iPhone 17 sales during the holiday period have driven momentum, with notable increases in the US, China and Japan. Demand is rising in emerging markets including India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, supported by deeper retail penetration and channel partnerships. A weaker US dollar has increased overseas purchasing power and encouraged some previously dormant upgraders to buy.

Read at Mail Online