Samsung loses smartphone market share to Apple in the US and to Xiaomi in China

posted by Florin T. / Jan 16, 2014, 4:37 PM

Samsung loses smartphone market share to Apple in the US and to Xiaomi in China

Both Apple and Samsung increased their smartphone market share in the US in the fourth quarter of 2013 - according to a report published by NPD Group. However, the gap between Apple and Samsung widened compared to the same period of 2012.

42% of all smartphone users in the US had an iPhone in Q4 2013, while 26% owned a Samsung handset. In the same quarter of 2012, 35% of users had Apple smartphones, and 22% were loyal to Samsung. In conclusion, Apple’s market share grew by 7%, while Samsung gained only 4%. It’s probably safe to assume that the launch of iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C (both available since September) helped Apple a lot in the battle with Samsung.

Unlike Apple

and Samsung, most other smartphone makers lost market share in the US in Q4 2013. Motorola, LG, HTC and BlackBerry had less than 10% of the market each, with the Canadian company once known as RIM being at the bottom.

According to Kantar Worldpanel, Samsung’s smartphone market share is also dwindling in China. Reportedly, Xiaomi dethroned Samsung in December 2013 as the most popular smartphone brand in China, helped by its affordable, yet well-equipped devices that are produced locally.

Naturally, Samsung is getting ready to retaliate with its Galaxy S5 flagship, which might be released globally in April. But we’ll probably have to wait until the third quarter of the year before seeing how the S5 fared.

sources: NPD Group, Kantar via TechCrunch

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72 Comments

1. 1113douglas

Posts: 200; Member since: Jul 04, 2013

yea but the US is the only country in the world that apple is beating Samsung in the smartphone market. so it does not really matter

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 4:41 PM 5

4. darkkjedii

Posts: 30786; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Tell Samsung it doesn't matter. What doesn't matter, is you saying it doesn't matter, Samsung is a tech giant that wants it's devices in everyone's hands. You're just a PA whiner saying it does not really matter

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 4:48 PM 17

7. rangaha

Posts: 86; Member since: Dec 05, 2013

"Samsung is a tech giant that wants it's devices in everyone's hands." So does every other firm.

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 4:53 PM 6

9. darkkjedii

Posts: 30786; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Which is exactly my point, so losing any amount of market share matters to Samsung, no matter what country it is. He's saying only in the US, I guess he has no idea how big a market America is for Samsung. Some people simply need to think, and research before they post. One of the main reasons it matters to Samsung, is because it's apple. You don't wanna lose squat to your arch rival.

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 5:00 PM 6

14. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

Does it matter to you then? Strangely I am a bit happy to hear that Samsung is getting a lot of competition from XiaoMi. Though I primarily buy Samsung product. So you see being an Apple fan affect one's ability to think objectivity. How can a very profitable Apple translate to giving you better value as a customer?

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 5:41 PM 3

16. Commentator

Posts: 3722; Member since: Aug 16, 2011

It can afford to put more money into R&D, and churn out more advanced products, so I guess that's kind of a better value...

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 5:47 PM 0

33. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

Yes. If they do that it increase product value. Good answer. However, Apple is hogging on billons of cash reserved and are now the target of multi billons ican get even richer scheme.

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 7:15 PM 2

32. QWIKSTRIKE

Posts: 1457; Member since: Mar 09, 2010

Let's see how it plays out with the Galaxy S5 and the note 4 this year.

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 7:10 PM 2

52. Jayshmay

Posts: 82; Member since: Mar 27, 2011

I won't touch anything Apple! Too much proprietary technology!

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 11:23 PM 2

60. MySchizoBuddy

Posts: 159; Member since: Aug 23, 2011

the car you drive is also proprietary technology. Looking forward to seeing you on a donkey.

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 4:15 AM 1

63. darkkjedii

Posts: 30786; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Got em. +1

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 6:21 AM 0

13. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Except HTC did the same thing and look at them now.

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 5:37 PM 0

17. jjjsong

Posts: 75; Member since: Dec 27, 2011

Samsung didn't lose market share, they earned more market share but just not as much as the amount that Apple earned, in the US.

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 5:53 PM 7

22. Extradite

Posts: 316; Member since: Dec 30, 2013

It's time everyone should do well in America, not just Samsung and Apple: HTC,Sony, LG, Nokia, BB, Motorola, and other Oems....

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 6:31 PM 2

53. Jayshmay

Posts: 82; Member since: Mar 27, 2011

Motorola really should be doing better. The Moto X seems to be popular, and the Moto G is a very affordable and capable smartphone.

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 11:27 PM 1

23. The_Innovation

Posts: 648; Member since: Jul 18, 2012

So, you're saying the biggest market with the most financially stable citizens who purchase the most consumer products each year, doesn't matter? Have you seen what's happening on Black Friday? What company wouldn't want to see crowds fighting over their products like that? Go away.

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 6:33 PM 1

36. thealphageek1

Posts: 942; Member since: Feb 02, 2013

Your statement is incorrect. Apple is also beating Samsung in Japan. @1113douglas.

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 8:14 PM 0

72. domfonusr

Posts: 1057; Member since: Jan 17, 2014

When I was here before under a different user name, before my big breakdown where I withdrew from practically the whole world, I had, a couple of years ago, said that in time there would be an iPhone in the hands of three out of four Americans. We are slowly but steadily on our way there still.

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 6:51 PM 0

59. MySchizoBuddy

Posts: 159; Member since: Aug 23, 2011

US is the second largest mobile market after China and you are saying it doesn't matter. you must really hate Apple to make absurd comments.

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 4:14 AM 0

64. ardent1

Posts: 2000; Member since: Apr 16, 2011

1113douglas: would you give it a rest. Have you seen the Japanese market for smartphones? Do us a favor, and learn to use google (or some other search engine) on your android smartphone.

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 6:39 AM 0

2. imkyle

Posts: 1111; Member since: Nov 18, 2010

Comparing the original Galaxy S and the Galaxy S II Samsung id a great job of improving its flagship. They need to do the same for the S5. Besides specs, give us a cleaner TouchWiz and a new design.

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 4:42 PM 1

3. jove39

Posts: 2137; Member since: Oct 18, 2011

samsung will lose more market share if/when apple releases iphone with rumored 4.7" screen.

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 4:48 PM 8

34. sam3k

Posts: 130; Member since: May 02, 2013

And apple will lose market share if samsung release the galaxy s5 with metallic body..

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 7:24 PM 6

54. Jayshmay

Posts: 82; Member since: Mar 27, 2011

And I'm getting the S5 even if it doesn't have a metalic body! I'm using a Dualtek case on my S4, it's a smartphone, not a piece of fashion people!!!

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 11:31 PM 2

66. androtaku

Posts: 246; Member since: Dec 12, 2013

except that it run out of fashion faster than fashion show

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 9:01 AM 0

5. joseram695

Posts: 79; Member since: May 28, 2012

2103 wow can phonearena see into the future lol.

posted on Jan 16, 2014, 4:49 PM 0

6. DigitalJedi_X2

Posts: 346; Member since: Jan 30, 2012

Hmmm... In the article, the writer says, "Unlike Apple and Samsung, all other smartphone makers lost market share in Q4 2013". But if you look at the chart, LG actually gained market share. So which isn't?