Following 27 consecutive months of year-over-year declines in smartphone sales, recent research indicates that the introduction of the iPhone 15 has contributed to the global smartphone market experiencing its first positive growth since June 2021.
Previous reports from Counterpoint Research highlighted that despite an overall decline in the smartphone market over the past two years, Apple‘s iPhone consistently outperformed this trend. This observation held true even when considering the research firm’s findings that, in China, the iPhone 15 struggled to match the demand observed for the iPhone 14.
Counterpoint’s latest report reveals that in October 2023, global monthly smartphone sell-through volumes experienced a noteworthy 5% year-over-year growth.
“The launch of the iPhone 15 series has played a significant role in this growth,” stated the company. “Compared to the previous year, the launch was delayed by a week, resulting in the full impact of the new iPhone sales being realized in October.”
The report further emphasizes that the growth has primarily occurred in emerging markets, with a particular focus on the Middle East and Africa. Factors contributing to this growth include Huawei’s reentry into the market and robust festive sales in India.
While the specific breakdown of smartphone model figures is not provided in this latest report, Counterpoint recently asserted that Apple leads the market with a substantial 43% share, reinforcing its position against competitors.
