Top

Apple Takes 62% of Premium Market in Q1 2022

  • Apple reached its highest first quarter share in the premium segment since Q1 2017.
  • Galaxy S22 Ultra was the best-selling Android smartphone in the premium market.
  • Premium smartphone market revenues remains resilient even as sales decline.
  • Ultra-premium (US$1000 and above) was the fastest growing price segment globally.

Beijing, London, San Diego, Buenos Aires, New Delhi, Seoul, Hong Kong – June 23, 2022

The global premium (US$400 and above wholesale ASP) smartphone market sales volume declined 8% YoY during the quarter, but it still performed better than the overall smartphone market, which declined by 10%, according to Counterpoint Research’s Market Pulse Service. This is the eighth consecutive quarter in which the premium market has outperformed overall smartphone market growth.

Apple continued to lead the premium market, exceeding 60% share for the second consecutive quarter. This was driven by the iPhone 13 series. The iPhone 13 has been the best-selling model globally each month since October 2021. This was also the highest first quarter share for Apple in the premium segment since Q1 2017.

Global Premium (US$400 and above) Smartphone Sales Volume Share, Q1 2021 vs Q1 2022

Source: Counterpoint’s Global Monthly Handset Model Sales (Sell-Through Volume) Tracker

Samsung’s share declined in the segment. This was mainly because of a delayed launch of the Galaxy S22 series as compared to the S21 series launch in 2021. However, the S22 series is performing well overall. The Galaxy S22 Ultra has been a hit combining the best of the S series and the Note series. It was the best-selling android smartphone in the premium segment in Q1 2022.

Global Premium (US$400 and above) Smartphone Sales Share by Top Models, Q1 2022

Global premium smartphone market - top 5 models

Source: Counterpoint’s Global Monthly Handset Model Sales (Sell-Through Volume) Tracker

OPPO was the third largest brand in the premium segment. OPPO was followed by Xiaomi and Vivo. The sales contribution of the China market within the premium segment for Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo has reduced since 2021.

Foldables are also slowly gaining traction, dominated by Samsung. The sales volume for foldables grew 184% YoY in the premium segment, albeit from a small base, capturing 3% of the total sales volume in the premium segment. More smartphone manufacturers are entering the foldables market segment, and as prices come down, foldables are likely to become more mainstream.

Although sales volume in the premium segment declined YoY it grew in importance, with almost three in 10 smartphones sold coming from the premium segment; its highest-ever first quarter share. And sales value grew slightly (+0.5% YoY) due to an increase in the Average Selling Price (ASP). The premium segment alone accounted for almost two thirds of global smartphone value during the quarter, reaching the highest first-quarter value contribution as well. This also shows the strategic importance of having a presence in the premium segment.

Global Premium (US$400 and above) Share of Total Smartphone Market by Volume & Value, Q1 2017- Q1 2022

Source: Counterpoint’s Global Monthly Handset Model Sales (Sell-Through) Tracker

This revenue resilience was driven by a 164% YoY sales volume growth in the ultra-premium (US$>1000) price band, which became the largest contributor to the premium market, both in terms of sales volume as well as value. It was the fastest-growing price segment globally as well as in China, Western Europe, and North America.

The volume growth in the ultra-premium segment was driven by Apple and Samsung. The iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 13 Pro together captured over two-thirds of sales volume within the ultra-premium price segment. This was driven by strong volume growth in the US, China, and Western Europe. In China, the sales in the >US$1000 price segment grew 176% YoY in Q1 2022. The segment alone captured over one-fifth of China’s smartphone market value during the quarter. Apple emerged as the biggest winner from Huawei’s decline in the premium market. The premium market in China still holds potential, and will be driven by upgrades, especially by users from Huawei’s large installed base.

Global Premium (US$400 and above) Sales Volume Share by Price Band

Source: Counterpoint’s Global Monthly Handset Model Sales (Sell-through) Tracker

Going forward, we will continue to see smartphone manufacturers trying to gain share in the premium segment. With global inflation rising, the entry-level and lower price band segments are likely to be harder hit. Only through a rise in sales in higher price bands, will manufacturers be able to offset some of the resulting revenue declines. While developed markets dominate the premium market sales, the segment is also becoming important in emerging markets like India and LATAM, as consumers continue to upgrade.

Note: The analysis is based on wholesale ASPs; OPPO includes OnePlus in Q1 2022.

Please reach out to press@counterpointresearch.com for press comments and inquiries.

You can also visit our Data Section (updated quarterly) to view the smartphone market share for World, USAChina, and India.

Background

Counterpoint Technology Market Research is a global research firm specializing in products in the TMT (technology, media, and telecom) industry. It services major technology and financial firms with a mix of monthly reports, customized projects, and detailed analyses of the mobile and technology markets. Its key analysts are seasoned experts in the high-tech industry.

Analyst Contacts:

Tarun Pathak

 

Varun Mishra 

 

Follow Counterpoint Research

press(at)counterpointresearch.com

 

Counterpoint research is a young and fast growing research firm covering analysis of the tech industry. Coverage areas are connected devices, digital consumer goods, software & applications and other adjacent topics. We provide syndicated research reports as well as tailored. Our seminars and workshops for companies and institutions are popular and available on demand. Consulting and customized work on the above topics is provided for high precision projects.

Term of Use and Privacy Policy

Counterpoint Technology Market Research Limited

Registration

In order to access Counterpoint Technology Market Research Limited (Company or We hereafter) Web sites, you may be asked to complete a registration form. You are required to provide contact information which is used to enhance the user experience and determine whether you are a paid subscriber or not.
Personal Information When you register on we ask you for personal information. We use this information to provide you with the best advice and highest-quality service as well as with offers that we think are relevant to you. We may also contact you regarding a Web site problem or other customer service-related issues. We do not sell, share or rent personal information about you collected on Company Web sites.

How to unsubscribe and Termination

You may request to terminate your account or unsubscribe to any email subscriptions or mailing lists at any time. In accessing and using this Website, User agrees to comply with all applicable laws and agrees not to take any action that would compromise the security or viability of this Website. The Company may terminate User’s access to this Website at any time for any reason. The terms hereunder regarding Accuracy of Information and Third Party Rights shall survive termination.

Website Content and Copyright

This Website is the property of Counterpoint and is protected by international copyright law and conventions. We grant users the right to access and use the Website, so long as such use is for internal information purposes, and User does not alter, copy, disseminate, redistribute or republish any content or feature of this Website. User acknowledges that access to and use of this Website is subject to these TERMS OF USE and any expanded access or use must be approved in writing by the Company.
– Passwords are for user’s individual use
– Passwords may not be shared with others
– Users may not store documents in shared folders.
– Users may not redistribute documents to non-users unless otherwise stated in their contract terms.

Changes or Updates to the Website

The Company reserves the right to change, update or discontinue any aspect of this Website at any time without notice. Your continued use of the Website after any such change constitutes your agreement to these TERMS OF USE, as modified.
Accuracy of Information: While the information contained on this Website has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, We disclaims all warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of such information. User assumes sole responsibility for the use it makes of this Website to achieve his/her intended results.

Third Party Links: This Website may contain links to other third party websites, which are provided as additional resources for the convenience of Users. We do not endorse, sponsor or accept any responsibility for these third party websites, User agrees to direct any concerns relating to these third party websites to the relevant website administrator.

Cookies and Tracking

We may monitor how you use our Web sites. It is used solely for purposes of enabling us to provide you with a personalized Web site experience.
This data may also be used in the aggregate, to identify appropriate product offerings and subscription plans.
Cookies may be set in order to identify you and determine your access privileges. Cookies are simply identifiers. You have the ability to delete cookie files from your hard disk drive.