We are finally beginning to get an idea of how the mobile market was during the year 2021. Canalys analysts have already revealed the latest report for the year that just ended, and the global market grew by 7% compared to 2020.
The numbers return, according to these estimates, to the ‘pre-Covid-19’ level. In total, something like 1.35 billion smartphones will have been shipped in 2021, very close to the 1.37 billion in 2019, before the pandemic.
Samsung continues to lead the mobile market in 2021
Compared to the previous year, the top five best-selling brands remain unchanged. And after another year, it’s no surprise we see Samsung in the lead, with 274.5 million shipments. This gives it a 20% market share, an increase of 7% from the previous year.
Apple remains in second place in the ranking, with an equally impressive 230.1 million shipments. This gives it an 11% increase in shipments compared to 2020, and it now has a 17% market share.
Xiaomi achieves the highest rise but remains in 3rd place
In third place we find the highest rise. Xiaomi had 149.6 million shipments in 2020, and in 2021 it rose to 191.2 million, an increase of 28% (the highest among all brands). It went from a market share of 12% to 14%.
Oppo (with OnePlus included) appears here with 145.1 million shipments, up 22% from 119.4 million in 2020. It had a 9% market share, and now it’s 11%.
In fifth place we find Vivo. Still without expression in markets such as Europe, it already has a market share of 10% (compared to 9% in 2020). It went from 112.6 million shipments to 129.9 million.
In 2022 Canalys forecasts that the market will continue the upward trend.