Samsung has regained its position as the top smartphone seller, surpassing Apple, according to a report from industry tracker International Data Corporation (IDC) released on Monday. The competition between the two market leaders comes as Chinese rivals close the gap, reflecting the dynamic nature of the smartphone market.

In the first quarter of this year, worldwide smartphone shipments grew by nearly 8 percent to reach 289.4 million units, as per IDC's preliminary data. This marks the third consecutive quarter of growth in the global smartphone market, indicating a recovery from a previous slump in the sector.

Samsung, headquartered in South Korea, shipped 60.1 million smartphones during the first quarter, claiming almost 21 percent of the market share, as reported by IDC. Meanwhile, Apple shipped 50.1 million iPhones, securing just over 17 percent of the market in the same period. Although Apple experienced a 9.6 percent decline in smartphone shipments compared to the previous quarter, Samsung's shipments saw a marginal decrease of less than one percent.

Chinese smartphone manufacturers are also making significant strides in the market. Xiaomi witnessed a 33 percent increase in shipments, reaching 40.8 million units, while Transsion saw an impressive 85 percent growth, shipping 28.5 million units. These figures propelled Xiaomi and Transsion to the third and fourth positions, respectively, in the overall smartphone market, according to IDC.

Ryan Reith, vice president of IDC's Worldwide Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers team, noted the shifting dynamics in the market. Despite Apple's brief reign at the top in 2023, Samsung has now reclaimed its position as the leading smartphone provider in the first quarter of this year. Reith expects Samsung and Apple to maintain their dominance in the high-end smartphone segment, while Chinese competitors aim to expand their sales.

Nabila Popal, research director with IDC’s Worldwide Tracker team, highlighted the changing landscape among the top smartphone companies. She anticipates ongoing adjustments in market strategies as players navigate a post-recovery world. Xiaomi's resurgence from recent declines and Transsion's growing presence in international markets indicate a potential shift in power within the top five smartphone vendors.

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