In 2021, Apple topped the global smartphone market with an overwhelming lead over its competitors in terms of sales revenue. Samsung Electronics, the world’s No. 1 smartphone maker in terms of sales volume, came in second in terms of sales value.

Counterpoint Research, a market research firm, said on Feb 27 that global smartphone sales revenue totaled US$448 billion (about 539.6 trillion won) in 2021, up 7 percent on year. The figure increased despite supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19 and lack of parts. Demand for 5G smartphones and premium phones grew, and retail prices of smartphones climbed as parts prices rose. “The average selling price (ASP) of smartphones in 2021 stood at US$322 (about 387,800 won), up 12 percent from a year earlier.”

In 2021, Apple’s smartphone sales rose 35 percent on year to US$196 billion (about 236 trillion won). Its market share in terms of sales revenue reached 43.8 percent, up from 35.8 percent in 2019 and 38.2 percent in 2020. High demand for the Apple iPhone 12 and 13, which support 5G services, pushed up Apple smartphones’ ASP by 14 percent, Counterpoint Research noted. Apple’s share has increased especially in major emerging markets, including India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Brazil, which are all Samsung Electronics' traditional strongholds.

Samsung Electronics’ smartphone sales rose 11 percent on year to US$72 billion (about 86.72 trillion won). Its market share in terms of sales revenue stood at 16.1 percent. Samsung’s average ASP rose 5 percent on year to US$263 thanks to strong sales of the foldable phone Galaxy Z series. However, its gap with Apple (US$825) remained wide.

In fact, of the top 10 smartphone models sold worldwide in 2021, two were Samsung Galaxy models and seven Apple’s iPhones. Samsung’s Galaxy A12 topped the sales rankings with 51.8 million units, but its ASP was US$160 (192,700 won). On the other hand, the ASP of the seven iPhone series on the top 10 list reached US$1,046.

China’s big three smartphone makers -- Obo, Vivo and Xiaomi -- all enjoyed 40-plus percent sales growth. Oppo’s sales rose 47 percent on year to US$37 billion (about 44.56 trillion won), accounting for 8.3 percent of the global market. Xiaomi’s sales rose 49 percent to US$36 billion (about 43.36 trillion won). Vivo sales swelled 43 percent to US$34 billion (about 40.95 trillion won). Xiaomi and Vivo’s shares in terms of sales revenue were 8 percent and 7.6 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, global smartphone shipments rose 4 percent on year to 1.391 billion units in 2021. Samsung Electronics maintained its number one position by shipping 270 million units, an increase of 6 percent. Apple shipped 237.9 million units during the same period, up 17 percent. Apple was followed by Xiaomi (190 million units), Oppo (143 million units), and Vivo (131 million units).