Despite a 14.6 percent year-on-year decline, Samsung maintained its pole position in the global smartphone market in 2020, according to Gartner.
Apple sailed past Huawei to take the second spot with 3.3 percent annual growth. The success of the iPhone 12 series helped it to overtake Samsung in Q4 — a feat last achieved in Q4 of 2016.
China makers Huawei, Xiaomi and Oppo make up the rest of the global top five.
In the tough global climate of 2020, only Apple and Xiaomi in the top five achieved growth compared to the previous year.
“In 2021, the availability of lower end 5G smartphones and innovative features will be deciding factors for end users to upgrade their existing smartphones. The rising demand for affordable 5G smartphones outside China will boost smartphone sales in 2021,” said Anshul Gupta, Senior Research Director of Gartner.
Entelechy Asia 