Supply chain constraints are finally catching up with the global smartphone market, contributing to a 6.7% drop in shipments in the third quarter, according to IDC

NEEDHAM, Mass .– (COMMERCIAL THREAD) – The double-digit growth of the smartphone market in the first quarters of 2021 ended in the third quarter of 2021 (3Q21) as global shipments fell 6.7% year-on-year. According to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Quarterly Cell Phone Tracker in the World, smartphone vendors shipped a total of 331.2 million units in the quarter. Although a slight dip is expected in the seasonally low third quarter, the actual decline has exceeded double the growth forecast of -2.9%.

“Supply chain issues and component shortages have finally caught up with the smartphone market, which until now seemed almost immune to this issue despite its negative impact on many other adjacent industries,” said Nabila Popal, research director at IDC’s Mobility and consumer device trackers. “Honestly, it has never been completely immune to shortages, but until recently the shortages weren’t severe enough to drive down shipments and just limited the rate of growth. However, the problems have now worsened and the shortages affect all suppliers combined. In addition to component shortages, the industry also faced other manufacturing and logistics challenges. Stricter testing and quarantine policies delay transportation, and power supply constraints in China restrict manufacturing of key components. Despite all efforts to mitigate the impact, production targets for all major suppliers for the fourth quarter have been adjusted downward. With demand continuing to be strong, we don’t expect supply issues to ease until much of next year.

While almost all regions experienced a drop in shipments in 3Q21, the severity of the impact varied from region to region. Central and Eastern Europe (ECO) and Asia / Pacific (excluding Japan and China) (APeJC) suffered the largest declines of -23.2% and -11.6% year-on-year. However, in regions like the United States, Western Europe and China, the declines were much less pronounced at -0.2%, -4.6% and -4.4% year-on-year. ‘other, respectively, as these regions are usually given higher priority by suppliers.

Samsung finished the quarter in first place with 69.0 million units shipped and 20.8% market share. This is a 14.2% year-over-year decline largely due to supply constraints. Apple regained the second position with 50.4 million units shipped for 15.2% market share and an incredible 20.8% year-over-year growth. Xiaomi saw a 4.6% decline in 3Q21 after strong double-digit growth in the previous four quarters as it also struggled with supply issues it had not faced in the quarters. previous ones. Xiaomi has always captured the third position with a share of 13.4% and shipments of 44.3 million units. vivo and OPPO linked* for fourth place with shipments of 33.3 million and 33.2 million units and market shares of 10.1% and 10.0%. vivo recorded 5.8% year-over-year shipment growth, while OPPO ended the quarter with 8.6% year-over-year growth.

Remarks:

• Data is preliminary and subject to change.

• Company shipments are branded device shipments and exclude OEM sales for all vendors.

• The “Company” represents the current parent company (or holding company) for all brands owned and operated as a subsidiary.

• Figures represent new shipments only and exclude refurbished units.

* IDC declares statistical equality in the global smartphone market when there is a difference of 0.1% or less in the share of revenue or shipments between two or more vendors.

In addition to the table above, a chart showing the global market share of the top 5 mobile phone companies over the past five quarters is available by viewing this press release on IDC.com.

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