Apple shipped 50.1 million units in the first quarter, down 9.6% from the 55.4 million shipments a year earlier. Among the top five smartphone brands in the report, Apple saw the sharpest decline year on year.

Xiaomi’s shipments rose 33.8% to 40.8 million units in the first quarter, while Transsion saw an impressive 84.9% jump to 28.5 million units, showcasing the competitiveness of Chinese smartphone manufacturers.

In terms of market share, Samsung regained the top spot in the first quarter with a 20.8% market share. Apple’s market share dropped to 17.3%, reflecting a shift in the smartphone market dynamics.

Shenzhen-based Transsion, owning popular brands like Tecno and Infinix, has emerged as the world’s fifth-largest smartphone manufacturer, further intensifying competition in the industry.

Despite facing challenges, Xiaomi, Transsion, and OPPO secured the third, fourth, and fifth spots based on first-quarter shipments, reflecting their growth and market penetration.

Overall, total first-quarter smartphone shipments increased by 7.8% year over year, indicating a positive trend in the market’s recovery despite economic uncertainties, according to IDC.

Apple’s struggle in China, especially against the resurgence of Huawei’s consumer business, adds to its shipment decline in the face of aggressive competition from Chinese rivals.

The report highlights that while Samsung and Apple are expected to maintain their positions in the high-end market, the resurgence of Huawei in China and the growth of brands like Xiaomi and Transsion pose challenges that may lead both companies to seek new avenues for growth.

The IDC report also pointed out that OPPO experienced an 8.5% drop in shipments in the first quarter, showing the fluctuating fortunes among smartphone manufacturers.

Huawei and its subsidiary, Honor, did not make it to the top five list, despite being top performers in the early weeks of 2024, emphasizing the volatility of the smartphone market.