Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max was the best-selling smartphone in the first quarter of 2024, a report has shown.
Apple and Samsung dominated the top 10 best-selling smartphones list during the same period, figures compiled by Counterpoint Research show.
The two manufacturers captured five positions each, leaving no spot for other brands.
This was the first quarter in which the top 10 smartphones were all 5G capable, Counterpoint said.
Three variants of the iPhone 15 took the top three spots, while another, the iPhone 15 Plus, was the eighth best seller.
The iPhone 14, in fourth position, was the other top performer for Apple, the rankings show.
Samsung's best performer was the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which was the fifth most sold phone in the quarter.
The base Galaxy S24 model came in ninth.
Three other Samsung models – the Galaxy A15 5G, Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34 – placed sixth, seventh and tenth respectively.
“Consumers are holding onto their smartphones for longer periods because upgrades are offering limited differentiation in features,” Counterpoint Research said.
“This leads consumers to opt for high-end smartphones to ensure their devices remain technologically relevant for a longer duration.”
Global smartphone revenue hit a new high in the first quarter of 2024, led by Apple and higher sales in key regions around the world, a separate study this month by Counterpoint Research showed.
Revenue in the industry jumped 7 per cent to reach its highest level for a March quarter. However, Counterpoint did not provide estimates on the actual value of the revenue.
Smartphone manufacturers typically do not report a breakdown of their sales. Apple's iPhone sales in the first quarter are estimated at around $69.7 billion, according to industry analysts.
Apple commanded 41 per cent of first-quarter revenue as it also posted its highest first-quarter average selling price of $900, up from $880 a year ago, it added.
Samsung Electronics came in at second with an 18 per cent share, followed by Xiaomi and Oppo, with 6 per cent each, and Vivo with 4 per cent. The four companies’ ASPs were $336, $159, $257 and $211, respectively.
The trend towards premium was evident, with seven of the top 10 smartphones being in that category, with the wholesale price at $600 and above, Counterpoint said in its latest report.
“Going forward, we expect the top 10 best-selling smartphones to capture a larger share of total smartphone sales as original equipment manufacturers are focusing on leaner portfolios with premium features, including Generative AI,” the report added.
The Pro Max variant achieved the top position for the first time in Apple’s non-seasonal quarter, reflecting an increasing trend of consumer preference for high-end smartphones, the study found.
The growing popularity of the Apple Pro line-up was evident, as it captured half of Apple’s total sales in the first quarter of 2024, a significant increase from 24 per cent in the same period in 2020, according to Counterpoint research.
“The Pro iPhones have become major revenue drivers for Apple, contributing more than 60 per cent of its sales value in the first quarter of this year,” the consultancy said.
“The Pro line-up offers substantial upgrades and significant enhancements over the base models. This strategic move has proven successful, as consumers are willing to pay for premium features.”
Meanwhile, the strong performance of the S24 series can be attributed to Samsung’s early refresh of the series and its efforts in generative AI technology.
“The S24 series was the first to reach the market with GenAI features and capabilities, allowing users to create unique content and experience a new level of interaction with their smartphones,” the report said.
Best-selling smartphones in first quarter of 2024
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 14
- Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Galaxy A15 5G
- Galaxy A54
- iPhone 15 Plus
- Galaxy S24
- Galaxy A34
The biog
Age: 23
Occupation: Founder of the Studio, formerly an analyst at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Education: Bachelor of science in industrial engineering
Favourite hobby: playing the piano
Favourite quote: "There is a key to every door and a dawn to every dark night"
Family: Married and with a daughter
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Where to apply
Applicants should send their completed applications - CV, covering letter, sample(s) of your work, letter of recommendation - to Nick March, Assistant Editor in Chief at The National and UAE programme administrator for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, by 5pm on April 30, 2020.
Please send applications to nmarch@thenational.ae and please mark the subject line as “Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism (UAE programme application)”.
The local advisory board will consider all applications and will interview a short list of candidates in Abu Dhabi in June 2020. Successful candidates will be informed before July 30, 2020.
Her most famous song
Aghadan Alqak (Would I Ever Find You Again)?
Would I ever find you again
You, the heaven of my love, my yearning and madness;
You, the kiss to my soul, my cheer and
sadness?
Would your lights ever break the night of my eyes again?
Would I ever find you again?
This world is volume and you're the notion,
This world is night and you're the lifetime,
This world is eyes and you're the vision,
This world is sky and you're the moon time,
Have mercy on the heart that belongs to you.
Lyrics: Al Hadi Adam; Composer: Mohammed Abdel Wahab
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
Stage results
1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 4:39:05
2. Michael Matthews (AUS) Team BikeExchange 0:00:08
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma same time
4. Jack Haig (AUS) Bahrain Victorious s.t
5. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe s.t
6. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates s.t
7. David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ s.t
8. Sergio Higuita Garcia (COL) EF Education-Nippo s.t
9. Bauke Mollema (NED) Trek-Segafredo s.t
10. Geraint Thomas (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers s.t
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
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