The global smartphone market declined by 18% year-over-year to reach 304 million units in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to Counterpoint Research. The research group says Apple replaced Samsung as the top smartphone player in the quarter, driven by the recent launch of the iPhone 14 series.
The iPhone maker achieved its highest-ever global smartphone shipment, revenue and operating profit share in 2022, adds Counterpoint Research.
Commenting on Apple’s performance, Research Director Jeff Fieldhack said, “having proficiently managed its production problems, Apple was able to weather a year already marred by economic and geopolitical turmoil better than other major smartphone players. Its iPhone Pro series continued performing well and its share of iPhone shipments could have been even higher if not for the production issues caused by the COVID-19 breakout at the Zhengzhou factory, which produces the vast majority of Pro series volumes. As a result, some Pro series volumes got pushed to January.”
Consequently, Apple’s shipment, revenue and operating profit declined year-over-year in quarter four of 2022. However, it outperformed a struggling smartphone market in terms of shipment, revenue and operating profit growth, in turn achieving its highest-ever shares of 18%, 48% and 85% in these metrics respectively, in 2022.
Counterpoint says that Apple also benefited from the premium segment, its primary constituency, being less severely affected by the economic and geopolitical uncertainties that marred the year. Moreover, mature smartphone users are now choosing premium devices that last longer.
Counterpoint says the 2022 global shipments declined by 12% to 1.2 billion units, the lowest since 2013. Global smartphone revenue declined by 9% to $409 billion, the lowest since 2017.
