Counterpoint Research has released its rankings for the top selling smartphone models worldwide in Q2 2023, with Apple commanding the top spots and Samsung filling out most of the rest of the top 10.
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The iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and iPhone 14 Pro take the top three positions, showcasing the popularity of Apple’s latest series. The standard iPhone 13 also snags a spot at number four. Meanwhile, Samsung places its more affordable A series in spots five through ten, along with the flagship Galaxy S23 Ultra in the eighth position.
Noticeably absent from the top ten is the iPhone 14 Plus, which Apple likely hoped would appeal to those seeking a larger non-Pro variant. However, the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus does not appear to have achieved significant sales so far.
Delving into regional performance, Counterpoint notes that basic iPhone models saw share growth in North America and Europe, while Pro iPhones gained share in Asia and Europe. For Samsung, its A series dominated Asia and Latin America, accounting for nearly 60% of total A series sales in the top ten. The S23 Ultra generated two-thirds of sales from North America and Western Europe.
Although Apple lost a bit of share in the top ten rankings, its double-digit market share remains formidable. And revenue data shows Apple is still clearly dominant, capturing 45% of total smartphone revenue in Q2 2023 – up nearly 3% year-over-year. Apple also claimed a staggering 85% of industry-wide operating profit last quarter.
In summary, while its top ten model share slipped slightly, Apple continues to hold an iron grip on overall smartphone profits and revenues. Samsung places competitively in unit sales with its broad A series lineup, but remains far behind Apple in monetization metrics.
As consumer budgets tighten, Samsung’s cheaper models are likely gaining appeal over pricier iPhones. But Apple’s brand cachet and ecosystem stickiness ensure its financial success despite economic challenges. For now, the duopoly shows little sign of fading as Apple and Samsung split the top ten between them.
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