Report: HUAWEI falls out of the top five as everyone else grows in Q1 2021

Q1 of 2020 marked a major downturn for the smartphone industry, as the COVID-19 pandemic started to affect the production and sale of devices in a major way. The second half of last year saw a dramatic recovery, and it looks like Q1 2021 is continuing this trend too.

Strategy Analytics reported that global smartphone shipments were up 24% year-on-year, with 340 million units shipped compared to 275 million a year ago. All of the top five players recorded double-digit growth.

Samsung was the top dog for the quarter with 23% marketshare and year-on-year growth of 32%, putting it clear of Apple and its 17% share (44% growth). The tracking firm attributed Samsung’s performance to its Galaxy S21 series and recent Galaxy A-series phones (including 5G models).

Xiaomi rounded out the podium, as it achieved an impressive 80% year-on-year growth to account for 15% marketshare. Strategy Analytics said these results were due to strong performance in the company’s strongholds of China and India, as well as expansions in Africa, Europe, and Latin America. The gap between Apple and Xiaomi in particular is pretty small (~2%), so the Chinese manufacturer could conceivably take the number two spot if it can maintain this momentum.

BBK brands Oppo and Vivo rounded out the top five, as both achieved 11% marketshare each and delivered year-on-year growth of 68% and 85% respectively.

The biggest loser might be HUAWEI, as the company was in the number two spot in Q1 2020 and has now fallen out of the top five according to the tracking firm. It marks a major turnaround for a company that still managed to gain the number one spot in Q2 2020 due to COVID-19 affecting Europe and the US as its home market of China recovered.

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