The 2024 Global Top 10 Best-Selling Smartphones: Apple Dominates, Chinese Brands Silent

The 2024 Global Top 10 Best-Selling Smartphones: Apple Dominates, Chinese Brands SilentOn February 5th, Canalys, a renowned data analytics firm, officially released its 2024 global smartphone report (Chinese version), with the 2024 global top 10 best-selling smartphone list drawing significant industry attention. This list not only reflects the overall trends of the 2024 smartphone market but also clearly showcases the market competitiveness of different brands and models

The 2024 Global Top 10 Best-Selling Smartphones: Apple Dominates, Chinese Brands Silent

On February 5th, Canalys, a renowned data analytics firm, officially released its 2024 global smartphone report (Chinese version), with the 2024 global top 10 best-selling smartphone list drawing significant industry attention. This list not only reflects the overall trends of the 2024 smartphone market but also clearly showcases the market competitiveness of different brands and models. The report covers data from multiple dimensions, including Q4 rankings, annual rankings, the top ten smartphone brands of the year, and the global top ten best-selling models. This article will focus on analyzing the 2024 global top ten best-selling smartphone list and provide an in-depth interpretation in conjunction with the market situation of 2024.

According to Canalys' data, the best-selling smartphone globally in 2024 was the iPhone 15, achieving a remarkable 3.0% market share. Considering that the annual global smartphone shipments in 2024 were approximately 1.22 billion units, this means the iPhone 15 shipped a staggering 36.6 million units. This figure is comparable to the total annual shipments of some second-tier smartphone brands, highlighting its remarkable market performance.

Closely following was the iPhone 16 Pro Max, securing the second spot. While the report didn't specify its exact sales figures, based on data curves, its sales were likely around 30 million units. Notably, the iPhone 16 Pro Max also ranked third, suggesting very close sales figures for these two models.

Even more striking is that Apple swept the top three spots on the global top ten best-selling smartphone list. This not only underscores Apple's powerful brand appeal in the global smartphone market but also reflects the high recognition and market competitiveness of the iPhone series among consumers.

Ranked fourth was Samsung's Galaxy A15, signifying Samsung's continued competitiveness in the mid-to-low-end market. The fifth to seventh positions were occupied by the iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 16, further solidifying Apple's dominance in the high-end market. Samsung's Galaxy A15 5G and Galaxy S24 Ultra took the eighth and ninth spots, respectively, showcasing Samsung's comprehensive layout across different price segments.

Surprisingly, the tenth position was held by the iPhone 13, a model three generations outdated by 2024. Its 1.5% market share translates to 18.3 million units sold annually, approximately half the sales of the iPhone 15. This suggests that the iPhone 13's 2024 market price must have been around 3000 RMB to maintain such high sales in a fiercely competitive market.

Compared to Android models, the iPhone 13's persistent sales are even more insightful. An Android model, even with a similar price drop as the iPhone 13 after three generations, would struggle to achieve comparable market attention and sales. This is inextricably linked to Apple's strong brand influence, its robust ecosystem, and continuous software update support.

The most striking feature of this list is that Apple occupies seven of the top ten spots, Samsung three, while no Chinese smartphone brands made the list. This result has undoubtedly led to collective silence among domestic Chinese manufacturers. While Chinese manufacturers have fiercely competed in the domestic market, their global market share remains relatively weak.

This list also reinforces the fact that the largest smartphone market is overseas. For Chinese smartphone manufacturers to truly join the global top tier, they must achieve breakthroughs in overseas markets, enhancing their brand influence and product competitiveness. Only success in overseas markets can enable the realization of a truly globalized development strategy and allow them to compete more fiercely with global giants like Apple and Samsung.

The report's data objectively reflects the current state of the 2024 global smartphone market. Apple's strong position, Samsung's diversified layout, and the challenges faced by Chinese smartphone brands together create a vibrant and dynamic market competition landscape. The future evolution of the global smartphone market and how Chinese manufacturers will respond to these challenges will be key areas of ongoing focus. This list is more than just a simple ranking; it's a profound interpretation of the global smartphone market landscape, providing important reference and guidance for industry development. It also serves as a wake-up call for domestic Chinese manufacturers, highlighting the urgency of enhancing brand influence and product competitiveness in the global market. Breaking into overseas markets will be crucial for Chinese manufacturers to secure a place on the global stage in the future. Only continuous innovation, improved product quality, and enhanced user experience will enable them to stand out in the fierce global competition.