In 2024, Xiaomi emerged as the fastest-growing smartphone maker, outpacing both Apple and Samsung in market share growth.
According to Counterpoint Research, Xiaomi’s global market share increased by one percentage point year-on-year (YoY), while both Apple and Samsung saw slight declines in their market shares.
Aggressive Expansion: Xiaomi focused heavily on regions like Europe, Asia, and Africa, where it expanded its footprint, despite its absence in the US market.
Premium Device Push: The company realigned its portfolio, emphasizing more premium devices to cater to higher-end consumers.
Innovative Marketing: Xiaomi’s creative marketing strategies contributed significantly to its rise.
Samsung retained the top spot with a 19% market share, driven by strong sales of its Galaxy S24 and Galaxy A series.
Apple followed closely with an 18% market share, but the reception of its iPhone 16 series was lukewarm, and the limited availability of Apple Intelligence dampened enthusiasm in key markets like the US.
Generative AI is expected to become a key feature in mid-range smartphones, with Counterpoint projecting that by 2028, 90% of smartphones priced above $250 will be GenAI-capable.
This shift marks a notable change in the smartphone landscape, with Xiaomi showing that success doesn’t necessarily rely on the US market and that innovation and strategy can lead to rapid growth.