US Smartphone Market Share: By Quarter
February 16, 2020
|In Data
Data on this page is updated every quarter
This data represents the US smartphone market share by quarter (from 2018-2019) by top OEMs. The US smartphone market is mainly an operator-driven market.
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Q4 2019 Highlights
- The US smartphone market declined 1% YoY due to weak upgrades and increase in the average holding periods, especially in the premium segment. Flagship sales have remained sluggish especially for Samsung and LG which faced tough competition from Apple.
- Apple increased 7% YoY with the help of the new iPhone 11 series. The iPhone 11 was the best selling device for Apple during the quarter.
- Samsung declined 8% YoY despite recent success of A series. There has been 5G sales, but not enough for OEM to stem the decline in sales year over year.
- LG declined 24% YoY as flagship sales faltered. The LG V50 was one of the first 5G devices on the market, but is now facing a tough competition from Samsung Note 10 5G.
- Among the “Others” OnePlus grew 182% YoY from a small base. The OEM has two 5G capable devices in carrier channels currently which has helped it grow.
| US Smartphone Shipments Market Share (%) | 2018
Q4 |
2019
Q1 |
2019
Q2 |
2019
Q3 |
2019
Q4 |
| Apple | 47% | 39% | 41% | 42% | 49% |
| Samsung | 22% | 28% | 21% | 25% | 20% |
| LG | 12% | 11% | 13% | 12% | 9% |
| Lenovo# | 6% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% |
| Others | 13% | 14% | 17% | 13% | 14% |
*Ranking is according to latest quarter.
#Lenovo includes Motorola.
Q3 2019 Highlights
- Smartphone volumes fell 2% YoY, from continued weakness of high-end premium Android devices. Mid-tier devices increased in sales but could not offset the premium decline.
- Apple increased YoY with the help of the new iPhone 11 series. The iPhone 11 quickly became the flagship device of choice for budget conscious Apple fans. Apple continues to make headways with its services expansion, launching Apple TV+.
- Samsung declines another quarter. The S10 series continues to see weakness in the premium line-up. The Note 10 shows promise and the Note 10 Plus 5G could become a strong 5G seller as carriers are experimenting with different monthly pricing configurations and financing options.
- Among the “Others” Google Pixel grew 139% YoY as the Pixel 3a and 3a XL are overtaking sales of the Pixel 3. Google will look to the Pixel 4 in Q4 to help boost its premium device sales however early market response for the device seems lackluster.
| US Smartphone Shipments Market Share (%) | 2018
Q3 |
2018
Q4 |
2019
Q1 |
2019
Q2 |
2019
Q3 |
| Apple | 39% | 47% | 39% | 41% | 42% |
| Samsung | 25% | 22% | 28% | 21% | 25% |
| LG | 17% | 12% | 11% | 13% | 12% |
| Lenovo# | 8% | 6% | 8% | 8% | 8% |
| Others | 11% | 13% | 14% | 17% | 13% |
*Ranking is according to latest quarter.
#Lenovo includes Motorola.
Q2 2019 Highlights
- US sell through declined 1.5% year-over-year. The US premium market softened with holding periods continuing to increase.
- We are seeing a shift away from premium devices as Apple showed a YoY increase through the continued success of the XR as its top seller.
- Samsung declined as Galaxy S10 sales began to waver in Q2. Samsung had a solid launch of the Galaxy S10 series but is now seeing signs of weakness.
- Most Apple and Samsung flagships now come with 6” displays and prepaid devices like the LG Stylo 4 and Motorola G7 series help boost mid and low-end sales.
| US Smartphone Shipments Market Share (%) | 2018
Q2 |
2018
Q3 |
2018
Q4 |
2019
Q1 |
2019
Q2 |
| Apple | 40% | 39% | 47% | 39% | 41% |
| Samsung | 25% | 25% | 22% | 28% | 21% |
| LG | 16% | 17% | 12% | 11% | 13% |
| Lenovo# | 5% | 8% | 6% | 8% | 8% |
| Other | 14% | 11% | 13% | 14% | 17% |
*Ranking is according to latest quarter.
#Lenovo includes Motorola.
Q1 2019 Highlights
- The US smartphone market is a concentrated market with top 3 brands – Apple, Samsung and LG controlling 78% of the total shipments during the quarter. The market is saturating and replacement cycles are lengthening.
- All the top three brands declined – Apple, Samsung, and LG. Motorola and Google were some of the notable gainers.
- Apple is holding its market share (39%) in a declining US market, but volume mix is shifting to older devices.
| US Smartphone Shipments Market Share (%) | 2018
Q1 |
2018
Q2 |
2018
Q3 |
2018
Q4 |
2019
Q1 |
| Apple | 37% | 40% | 39% | 47% | 39% |
| Samsung | 26% | 25% | 25% | 22% | 28% |
| LG | 14% | 16% | 17% | 12% | 11% |
| Motorola | 4% | 5% | 8% | 6% | 8% |
| Other | 19% | 14% | 11% | 13% | 14% |
*Ranking is according to latest quarter.
Q4 2018 Highlights
- The US market sold-through 10% fewer smartphones in the fourth quarter of 2018 than the same quarter in 2017.
- Apple: Early adopters hit the stores in September and October to purchase the XS Max and XS. In November and December, the largest volumes moved to the XR.
- Verizon was the largest channel for Apple in 4Q18.
- The only gainers during 4Q18 were Alcatel, Motorola, and Samsung. Alcatel and Motorola grew from small bases.
- Samsung was able to gain on the longevity of the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus and a particularly strong November for the Note 9. J7 and J3 variants are strong within many prepaid channels.
| US Smartphone Shipments Market Share (%) | 2017Q4 | 2018Q1 | 2018Q2 | 2018Q3 | 2018Q4 |
| Apple | 44% | 37% | 40% | 39% | 47% |
| Samsung | 19% | 26% | 25% | 25% | 22% |
| LG | 14% | 14% | 16% | 17% | 12% |
| Motorola | 5% | 4% | 5% | 8% | 6% |
| Other | 18% | 19% | 14% | 11% | 13% |
*Ranking is according to latest quarter.
Q3 2018 Highlights
- The USA smartphone market showed an annual decline of 7%.
- Apple is still leading the US Smartphone market with a 39% share in Q3 2018.
- Motorola showed a YoY growth of 54% in Q3 2018.
- Top four brands contributed to about 90% of the total market share.
| US Smartphone Shipments Market Share (%) | 2017Q3 | 2017Q4 | 2018Q1 | 2018Q2 | 2018Q3 |
| Apple | 33% | 44% | 37% | 40% | 39% |
| Samsung | 23% | 19% | 26% | 25% | 25% |
| LG | 18% | 14% | 14% | 16% | 17% |
| Motorola | 5% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 8% |
| Others | 21% | 18% | 19% | 14% | 11% |
*Ranking is according to latest quarter.
Q2 2018 Highlights
- The US smartphone market declined 22% annually in Q2 2018.
- The decline in the smartphone market was majorly due to ZTE and Samsung. ZTE was affected due to sanctions imposed by the US government.
- Even though device sales were down by double digits, US wireless performances were solid in Q2 2018.
| US Smartphone Shipments Market Share (%) | 2017Q2 | 2017Q3 | 2017Q4 | 2018Q1 | 2018Q2 |
| Apple | 28% | 33% | 44% | 37% | 40% |
| Samsung | 31% | 23% | 19% | 26% | 25% |
| LG | 15% | 18% | 14% | 14% | 16% |
| Motorola | 2% | 5% | 5% | 4% | 5% |
| Others | 24% | 21% | 18% | 19% | 14% |
*Ranking is according to latest quarter.
Q1 2018 Highlights
- The US smartphone market declined by 1% in Q1 2018 compared to Q1 2017
- Apple continued to dominate the smartphone market with 38% share and grew annually because the iPhone X performed well in the market
- LG declined annually due to a shift in its flagship smartphone launch strategy
| US Smartphone Shipments Market Share (%) | 2017Q1 | 2017Q2 | 2017Q3 | 2017Q4 | 2018Q1 |
| Apple | 33% | 28% | 33% | 44% | 37% |
| Samsung | 22% | 31% | 23% | 19% | 26% |
| LG | 18% | 15% | 18% | 14% | 14% |
| ZTE | 10% | 11% | 12% | 11% | 11% |
| Others | 17% | 15% | 14% | 12% | 12% |
*Ranking is according to latest quarter.
