Counterpoint Research, a firm specializing in technology market research, has published a report taking stock of the smartphone market in 2021. Despite the pandemic and the shortage of electronic components, the sector has achieved the best performance in its history .
The average price of the smartphone has increased in 2021
Indeed, global smartphone market revenue passed the all-time high of $448 billion in 2021, according to the latest study from Counterpoint’s Market Monitor service. This is a 7% increase over the previous year. The average sale price of smartphones also increased by 12% compared to 2020 to reach 322 dollars. This trend can be explained in particular by the growing number of smartphones supporting 5G deployed on the market. Logically, their price is higher than that of devices that only support 4G. 5G-enabled smartphones accounted for more than 40% of global shipments in 2021, up from 18% in 2020.
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As Counterpoint Research explains, the demand for high-end smartphones has also been growing over the past year. This is a direct consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, since users have wanted a better experience for education, leisure or even working from home. The shortage of semiconductors also impacts the price of smartphones since some manufacturers have increased the amount of their devices in order to be able to cope with it.
Market shares of different smartphone manufacturers over the years. Infographic: Counterpoint Research
Apple dominates the smartphone market
It is no surprise that Apple dominated the market in 2021 with the very successful launch of its iPhone 13 range. The Apple brand saw its iPhone-related revenues increase by 35% in one year to reach the $196 billion. In 2021, the iPhone accounted for 44% of total global smartphone revenue.
The Cupertino company is followed by Samsung, whose revenues increased by 11% between 2020 and 2021. In addition to having launched two folding smartphones, Samsung has managed to increase its global market share in the medium and high-end segments. with the launch of the flagship Galaxy S series. It is Xiaomi that takes the third step of the podium with a considerable increase in revenue of 49%. This is partly due to the popularity of Xiaomi devices in India, the firm’s largest market, as well as increased shipments and market share of its mid-range and high-end smartphones, like of the Mi 11x series.
The two manufacturers behind Xiaomi are also Chinese. These are OPPO and vivo, which saw their revenues increase by 47 and 43% respectively. Note that Huawei, once the best seller of smartphones in the world, is not among the five most successful manufacturers, as a result of American sanctions against it and which have greatly affected it.