Counterpoint Research’s global monthly smartphone phone model sales tracker, Apple is the biggest winner in 2022.
The remaining two positions are occupied by Samsung. In 2022, the Top 10 list will contribute 19% of the total global phone sales, which is the same as in 2021.
Apple’s victory
Apple’s iPhone 13 is the best-selling phone in 2022, accounting for 28% of iPhone sales. It was the best-selling phone in major markets including China, the US, the UK, Germany and France.
In addition, the iPhone 13 will remain the number one selling smartphone every month from its release in September 2021 to August 2022.
Price cuts following the release of the iPhone 14 series have further boosted iPhone 13 sales in developing markets. The iPhone 13 sold twice as many as the iPhone 13 Pro Max and will be the second best-selling smartphone in 2022.
World’s Top 10 Best-Selling Smartphone Sales in 2022
The Pro Max variant of the iPhone lineup will outsell its Pro and base models for the first time in 2022. It helped the iPhone 14 Pro Max take third place on the 2022 list.
It is the best-selling smartphone model in September, October and November 2022. Sales of the iPhone 14 Pro Max were led by early adopters and users who upgraded to a later version of the iPhone. Significant improvements to the iPhone 14 Pro lineup, such as the Smart Island and faster processors, make it even more attractive as the base model is nearly identical to the previous year’s model.
The iPhone 12 is the best-selling smartphone in 2021 and the oldest model in the top 10 for 2022. Its sales in the U.S., Japan and China remain strong. The annual price cuts on new iPhones have added to their value proposition, while their 5G capabilities have also played a big role.
The iPhone SE 2022 is one of the most compact phones in the industry, ranking tenth. Like its predecessor, it sold well in Japan.
With its entry-level models, the Galaxy A13 and Galaxy A03, Samsung took two spots on the list, one more than the previous year. These two models are the only LTE smartphones on the list. The regional contributions of these models are more evenly distributed compared to the iPhone.
Like its predecessor, the Galaxy A13 continues to perform well, offering attractive specs for its price (<$250). The Caribbean and Latin America (CALA), followed by India, contributed the most to its sales. The Galaxy A03 is the most affordable smartphone on the list and the only one powered by a Chinese-made SoC (UNISOC).
The smartphone performed well in CALA and developing regions such as the Middle East and Africa (MEA).
The share of the top 10 smartphones will increase in 2023 as brands focus on clearing inventory and optimizing launches. Brands are expected to continue to streamline their product portfolios in 2023 to minimize cannibalization.
The number of active smartphone models in the global market has dropped from more than 4,200 in 2021 to about 3,600 in 2022. At the same time, brands will focus on premiumizing their product portfolios to convert volumes into profitability.
Summarize
- Apple holds eight of the top 10 best-selling smartphones in 2022.
- The remaining two slots are taken by Samsung’s Galaxy A13 and A03 models.
- Apple’s iPhone 13 is the best-selling smartphone of 2022.
- For the first time, the Pro Max variant drives more volume than the Pro and base models.
- There is no Chinese brand in the TOP10, but a Samsung mobile phone equipped with a domestic chip has entered the top 10.
- The unit sales share of the top 10 smartphones is expected to increase in 2023.
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