Stats by the research firm Gartner shows smartphone sales globally took a nose dive in the Q4 of 2017. All except for Chinese brands like Huawei and Xiaomi.
The recent stats on global smartphones brands ranking in terms of revenues for the Q4 is as follows:
#1 – Samsung
#2 – Apple
#3 – Huawei
#4 – Xiaomi
Of the top four global brands, it is only Huawei and Xiaomi that recorded growth in the Q4 of 2017. During that period, some 408 million units were sold; a 5.6% decline compared to the same period in 2016. Samsung, despite maintaining its first place position in the top global brands, the OEM experienced a 3.5% dip in global shipment. Apple, though holding on to second place, Huawei at the third position has significantly reduced the gap.
Gartner further points out that Samsung lead mainly comes from units sold in the mid-price to entry-level phones. However, this market segment is increasingly experiencing increasing competition, while there is reducing contribution.
“First, upgrades from feature phones to smartphones have slowed down due to a lack of quality ultra-low-cost smartphones and users preferring to buy quality feature phones,” said Anshul Gupta, a research director at Gartner.”
“Second, replacement smartphone users are choosing quality models and keeping them longer, lengthening the replacement cycle of smartphones. Moreover, while demand for high quality, 4G connectivity, and better camera features remained strong, high expectations, and few incremental benefits during replacement weakened smartphone sales.”
The demand from markets across African is increasing
Recently, Huawei proudly releases stats showing it had met its sales target in the African markets and is looking for more ways to break its current ceiling.
Related: Do not buy Huawei and other Chinese brands warns U.S.
Likun Zhao, the General Manager for Huawei Consumer Business, said that although they have been paying more attention to the 2017 flagship models. Going forward, they want to also pay more attention to mid-range and low-tier devices in markets across Africa.
“Our performance in the high-end market was very good because at the end of last year our market share (for prices exceeding US$600) was 15.5%. At the beginning of last year, it was only 7%, which means we doubled it and that is a good performance.
We want to make progress within the high-end, but for the mid-tier we want to enlarge that market by bringing (in) more low-end consumers. At the same time we want to catch up on market share in the mid-tier. For the low-end we will come back and play an important role.”