Strong growth in the Middle East smartphone market, Xiaomi shines

Strong growth in the Middle East smartphone market, Xiaomi shinesAccording to the latest report by market research firm Canalys, smartphone shipments in the Middle East (excluding Turkey) reached 11.5 million units in the second quarter of 2024, a 20% year-on-year increase

Strong growth in the Middle East smartphone market, Xiaomi shines

According to the latest report by market research firm Canalys, smartphone shipments in the Middle East (excluding Turkey) reached 11.5 million units in the second quarter of 2024, a 20% year-on-year increase. This growth is primarily driven by the region's robust economic recovery and ongoing consumer demand for new technologies.

The report reveals that Samsung remains the largest smartphone vendor in the region, but its market share has slightly declined. Samsung shipped 3.3 million units in the second quarter of 2024, capturing a 28% market share, representing a 5% year-on-year drop.

Xiaomi stands out as a prominent performer in the region. In the second quarter of 2024, Xiaomi shipped 2.3 million units, achieving a 20% market share, reflecting a remarkable 70% year-on-year surge. This success can be attributed to Xiaomi's active marketing strategies in the Middle East and its competitively priced smartphone offerings.

Transsion is another smartphone brand showcasing strong performance in the region. In the second quarter of 2024, Transsion shipped 1.8 million units, securing a 16% market share, marking a 3% year-on-year rise. Leveraging its low-priced smartphones targeted at the African market, Transsion has also gained traction in the Middle East.

Apple's market share in the region has also slightly decreased, with shipments reaching 1.1 million units in the second quarter of 2024, translating to a 10% market share, representing a 6% year-on-year decline. Honor, on the other hand, achieved a noteworthy 67% year-on-year growth, shipping 700,000 units and securing a 6% market share.

From a country perspective, Saudi Arabia witnessed the most robust smartphone market growth in the second quarter of 2024, registering a 13% year-on-year increase. This growth is attributed to the strong performance of the retail and hospitality sectors in the country. The UAE market experienced a substantial 19% growth, while Iraq also saw an increase in shipments by 22%. The smartphone markets in Qatar and Kuwait also witnessed growth of 14% and 17%, respectively, bolstered by festive spending and easing inflation.

Overall, the Middle East smartphone market exhibited robust growth in the second quarter of 2024. With the region's continued economic development and increasing consumer demand for smartphones, the Middle East smartphone market is expected to maintain its growth trajectory in the coming years.