Gartner Says Global Smartphone Sales Declined 6.8% in Third Quarter of 2021

Global smartphone sales to end-users declined 6.8% in the third quarter of 2021, compared to the same time period in 2020, according to Gartner, Inc. Component shortages disrupted production schedules, leading to lower inventory and delayed product availability, which eventually impacted sales to end-users.

“Despite strong consumer demand, smartphone sales declined due to delayed product launches, longer delivery schedule and insufficient inventory at the channel,” said Anshul Gupta, senior research director at Gartner. “Supply constraints impacted the production schedule of basic and utility smartphones much more than premium smartphones.” 

The current shortage of components, such as radio frequency and power management integrated circuits, delayed smartphone production globally. This disrupted the supply-demand equilibrium and end-users were burdened with limited choices at point of sale. Sales of premium smartphones continued to grow even though overall smartphones sales declined in the quarter.

Apple reclaimed the No.2 position in sales to end-users among the top five global smartphone vendors and Xiaomi moved back to No.3 in the third quarter of 2021 (see Table 1).  Samsung maintained its overall lead in smartphone sales, though its market share declined 1.9% year-over-year. Even with the overall decline, Samsung experienced growth of its premium smartphones, led by strong demand for revamped foldable smartphones. Chinese smartphone vendors Xiaomi, Vivo and OPPO increased their market share 1%, 2.4% and 1.7% respectively, year-over-year. 

Table 1. Worldwide Smartphone Sales to End-Users by Vendor in 3Q21 (Thousands of Units)
Vendor    3Q21 
Units    3Q21 Market Share (%)    3Q20 
Units    3Q20 Market Share (%)
Samsung    69,002.7    20.2    80,816.0    22.1
Apple    48,458.6    14.2    40,598.4    11.1
Xiaomi    44,483.3    13.0    44,405.4    12.1
Vivo    36,005.9    10.5    29,788.8    8.1
OPPO    33,623.9    9.8    29,850.4    8.1
Others    110,718.4    32.3    140,807.8    38.4
Total    342,292.8    100    366,266.9    100
Due to rounding, some figures may not add up to the totals shown.
Source: Gartner (November 2021)

Apple continued to experience strong demand for iPhones led by compelling feature upgrades and underpenetrated 5G installed base. Upgraded bionic A15 sensor, improved battery life and camera sensor optimization for improved photography are the leading features that drove iPhone upgrades. Apple continues to revamp its online channel and position trade-in programs to accelerate demand for its 5G iPhones through the rest of 2021. 

Xiaomi’s strong online channel-led strategy for market expansion in Europe and the Middle East, along with investing communication service providers (CSPs) in these regions helped the company increase its global smartphone market share in the third quarter of 2021

Vivo registered the highest year-over-year growth (20.9%) among the top five global smartphone vendors in the third quarter of 2021. The company introduced 13 new smartphones in the quarter to try to gain advantage while entering new markets, including Europe and the Middle East, along with the addition of new offline retailers and experience stores to its strategy. 

Gartner clients can read more in "Market Share: PCs, Ultramobiles and Mobile Phones, All Countries, 2Q21 Update".