Global smartphone shipments rose by 6 per cent on an annual basis last year as the industry emerged from coronavirus pandemic-induced disruptions to the market in 2020, a new report by Gartner said.
The demand was driven by a recovery in spending and opening of marketplaces along with a lower base for comparison from 2020. More than 1.43 billion smartphones were sold in 2021, nearly 80 million more than in 2020, the Connecticut-based market researcher said.
Higher smartphone sales in the first half of 2021, following a 12.5 per cent decline in 2020, helped to boost performance last year.
“Previous year’s [2020’s] lower smartphone sales because of Covid-19 and the bounce back to growth in first half of 2021 helped propel the market to growth … however, component shortages and supply chain issues disrupted smartphone sales in the second half of 2021,” Gartner said.
With a yearly increase of 7.6 per cent in smartphone shipments, South Korea's Samsung maintained its top position with 19 per cent market share last year. It sold more than 272.3 million smartphones in 12 months.
US-based Apple, which accounts for 16.7 per cent of global market share, came second. The company, which is expected to launch its iPhone SE 3 on Tuesday, sold 239.2 million smartphones in January-December period.
Chinese brand Xiaomi, which briefly pushed Apple to the third spot in September, occupied the third position. It shipped more than 189.3 million smartphones and took 13.2 per cent of the market.
“An improved consumer outlook, pent-up demand from 2020 in large markets, such as India and China, helped drive sales in the first half of the year [2021],” Anshul Gupta, senior research director at Gartner, said.
“However, this trend reversed in the second half of the year, even with high demand from consumers. Out-of-stock situations for popular models and limited inventories pushed out some of the possible sales to 2022,” Mr Gupta said.
Global smartphone sales, however, fell 1.7 per cent annually during the fourth quarter of 2021 owing to supply constraints. Apple held the No 1 position among the top five smartphone vendors, helped by strong demand for its 5G-enabled iPhones, Gartner said.
Apple launched its first 5G model (iPhone 13 series) in September, attracting more customers and adding to the company’s sales in the holiday quarter.
Samsung registered strong demand for its premium phones in the October-December period, and its sales increased 11 per cent as compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.
“Apple’s strong sales in China in the fourth quarter of 2021 weakened [the] demand for Chinese smartphones. Oppo and Vivo experienced a decline in sales, whereas Xiaomi held its number three position,” Gartner said.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Zayed Sustainability Prize
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
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Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
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The five pillars of Islam
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
ARGYLLE
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The years Ramadan fell in May
Try out the test yourself
Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow?
a) More than $102
b) Exactly $102
c) Less than $102
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account?
a) More than today
b) Exactly the same as today
c) Less than today
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.”
a) True
b) False
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Answers: Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).
