Only Samsung and Apple’presence’… U.S. smartphone market also has a strong system

Global market research firm Counterpoint revealed that only Samsung Electronics and Apple recorded positive growth in the US smartphone market last year. [카운터포인트]

In the fourth quarter of last year, smartphone sales in the U.S. fell 6% compared to the same period last year, and only two companies, Samsung Electronics and Apple, showed positive growth.

According to counterpoint, a market research firm on the 3rd, Apple in the U.S. market in the fourth quarter of last year increased the popularity of the iPhone 12, the first 5G smartphone, up 14% year-on-year and Samsung Electronics 5%. On the other hand, a number of smartphone makers such as LG Electronics -12%, Nokia -44%, Google -50%, and Motorola -69% saw their sales decline.

Counterpoint said, “Amid the continued impact of Corona 19, the number of unemployed people in the United States surpassed 10 million at the end of last year, and there were no new economic stimulus measures,” said Counterpoint. “As a result, demand for smartphones under $300 (about 330,000 won) has drastically increased. Decreased.”

The sales volume of Samsung Electronics and Apple in the first quarter of this year is expected to increase rapidly. Counterpoint predicted that “the demand for new iPhone products is steadily being felt, but the supply shortage is still present, so Apple’s sales volume will increase, and Samsung Electronics is also expected to grow as the Galaxy S20FE, the entry-level model of the Galaxy S20, becomes popular.” However, regarding Samsung Electronics, he added, “The market situation of Samsung Electronics is not easy given the momentum of Apple.”

In fact, in the fourth quarter of last year alone, Apple posted sales of 111.4 billion dollars (about 124 trillion won) and operating profit of 33.5 billion dollars (about 37 trillion won). Apple’s quarterly operating profit was higher than Samsung Electronics’ operating profit (35 trillion won) last year (four quarters).

This performance was driven by the iPhone 12. In the fourth quarter, iPhone sales increased by 17% compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching 65.6 billion dollars (about 73 trillion won), a record high. Last year’s iPhone sales amounted to $144.7 billion (about 165 trillion won), 1.7 times that of Samsung Electronics’ IT and mobile (IM) sales (99.59 trillion won).

The device is on display at the Frisbee Myeongdong store in Jung-gu, Seoul in November last year, when the iPhone 12 Mini and Pro Max were officially released in Korea. [연합뉴스]

Samsung Electronics is focusing on increasing the sales volume of the Galaxy S21 this year, while increasing sales by popularizing foldable phones such as the Galaxy Z Fold and the Galaxy Z Flip.

In a recent conference call, Seong-koo Kim, Senior Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ Wireless Business Division, said, “The Fold product line specializes in large screens and entertainment and productivity to strengthen the premium portion, while the flip product line emphasizes design differentiation and price competitiveness to meet the needs of millennials and female customers. I will satisfy you,” he said.

Reporter Park Hyung-soo [email protected]