The global smartphone market contracted 14 percent in the second quarter to 284.7 million units, hurt by the lockdown orders around the world to prevent the spread of Covid-19, according to research from Canalys. Apple was the only major vendor to grow shipments, by an estimated 25 percent year-on-year to 45.1 million.
This was the second quarter of falling sales. Market leader Samsung was hurt the most, with shipments down 30 percent to 53.7 million. As a result, Samsung lost the top spot to Huawei, which shipped 55.8 million units. Xiaomi came fourth after Apple, shipping 28.8 million units, or 10 percent less than a year earlier, and Oppo reclaimed fifth place from Vivo, shipping 25.8 million units with a 16 percent decline.
Canalys expects Apple's growth was down to the new iPhone SE, which accounted for around 28 percent of its global volume, while the iPhone 11 also remained a strong seller, taking nearly 40 percent of the company'sales. The iPhone SE will remain crucial to prop up volume this year, amid delays to Apple’s next flagship release, said Canalys analyst Vincent Thielke. Apple performed well in China, with shipments up an estimated 35 percent, and also adapted well to the switch to digital sales.
