Samsung is The Number 1 Smartphone Brand Again Based on Q3 2020 Marketshare

After losing the top spot to Chinese handset maker Huawei in terms of total smartphone units shipped in Q2 2020, Korean Tech Giant Samsung made a stunning comeback in Q3 2020 to become the world's #1 smartphone brand again.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, one of the world's first folding smartphone with a glass display, released globally in Q1 2020.

According to International Data Corporation (IDC), Samsung was able to ship a total of 80.4 Million handsets during the third quarter of 2020 (July to September) representing 22.7% markets share during that period.

Amazingly, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Samsung was able to register a 2.9% year-over-year change with an additional 2.2 Million handsets shipped compared to Q3 2019 figures. IDC noted that Samsung's midrange Galaxy A-Series and flagship-level Galaxy Note20 line did particularly well in the United States.

Former #1 Huawei slipped to the #2 position with 51.9 Million units sold and 14.7% market share. Sadly, the Chinese company suffered a -22% year over year change with 14.7 million less units sold in Q3 2020 compared to Q3 2019. Since the company did so well in Q2 2020, it's hard to say if this decline was caused by the continued ban of Huawei products by the US government.

Of all brands in the top five, Xiaomi had the best year-over-year change from Q3 2019 to Q3 2020 at a staggering 42%! The hotshot Chinese handset maker was able to ship 46.5 Million units in the latter period, representing 13.1% market share.

Former #3 Apple slipped to the fourth spot with 41.6 Million units shipped and 11.8% market share in Q3 2020. The company suffered a -10.6% year-over-year change with 5 Million less units sold compared to Q3 2019. IDC says that this was largely due to the late announcement of the Apple iPhone 12 Series.

Nonetheless, Apple is expected to remain as the world's most profitable handset maker by the end of 2020 -- like it has been for the past three years, at least. In 2019, Apple was able to get a whopping 66% of the total profits made by the entire smartphone industry.

Rounding up the top 5 for Q3 2020 is another Chinese brand vivo with 31.5 million units shipped, representing 8.9% of the market share. The company enjoyed a fairly good 4.2% year-over-year increase in shipment from same period in 2019.

According to IDC, in developing markets like India, smartphone sales are driven by distance learning, which I believe was brought about my quarantine restrictions. I think this can also be said for our smartphone market here in the Philippines.

They added that in large developed markets, 5G - the latest in mobile broadband technology - will be a primary consideration of consumers in choosing handsets regardless of brand. Marketing and promotion will also play a crucial role in enticing them to upgrade.

Congratulations to the top 5, especially to current world #1 Samsung! Well done!