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.
Key Factors Behind Xiaomi’s Growth:
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.
Performance of Apple and Samsung:
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.
Future Trends:
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.
