Apple commanded a record quarter for global smartphone revenue, driven by its new iPhone 16 line-up, as device shipments grew on improved consumer demand and macroeconomic conditions, a report has shown.
Overall industry revenue accelerated 10 per cent annually to hit the highest levels for a September quarter, as shipments inched up 2 per cent to reach about 307 million units, Counterpoint Research said in its latest industry report on Friday.
California-based Apple, the world's most valuable company, held a 43 per cent market share for revenue in the three months ending September. Its chief rival, Samsung Electronics, was second with 16 per cent, followed by Chinese brands Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo, it said.
Average selling prices also set a fresh high, with Apple again leading with $909, way ahead of the global average of $349 and Samsung's $295.
Still, Seoul-based Samsung maintained its top spot in device shipments, cornering a 19 per cent market share in the third quarter. Samsung briefly lost the number one spot to Apple in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Apple remained at second place with 16 per cent market share, followed by Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo.
The slightly earlier launch of the iPhone 16 series, a product mix increasingly favouring the flagship's Pro models and a continued expansion in noncore markets, underpinned Apple’s momentum in the third quarter, Jeff Fieldhack, a research director at Hong Kong-based Counterpoint, wrote in the report.
However, he warned that there is reason to remain cautious, as the iPhone 16 line-up has seen mixed results across regions, with sales in key markets such as the US down on an annual basis compared to the iPhone 15 series.
Shipments in the US, the world's biggest economy, retreated as record-low upgrade rates continued to drag the market down, the study showed. India and China, two of the world's biggest smartphone markets, posted increases, with the latter particularly boosted by an improving economy and consumer demand, driven by home-grown brand Huawei Technology.
"The large installed base of three and four-year-old iOS devices is likely to keep a steady flow of iPhone 16 sales in the coming quarters – especially as Apple Intelligence features continue to roll out," Mr Fieldhack added.
Apple Intelligence is the company's much-anticipated dive into generative AI. The first wave of its features was launched this week across certain models of the iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Smartphones are the most popular consumer electronics devices. The industry has slowed down in the past two years due to factors including supply chain issues, high inflation and consumers holding off on upgrading their devices.
However, the upturn is being fuelled by the growth of emerging market economies, a resurgence in consumer spending, an increase in average selling prices and the swift integration of generative AI devices.
The share of smartphones powered by generative AI is projected to hit 18 per cent in 2024, with these devices the “perfect platform for making AI accessible to everyone”, Counterpoint said in a previous report, noting that more than half of smartphones shipments would be generative AI-capable by 2028 as "broader use cases continue to emerge and availability expands across price segments".
For the near term, the global smartphone market "has reached maturity" and shipments are expected to remain stable in the coming years, with growth to be potentially driven by emerging markets like India and those in the Middle East, Africa and South-east Asia, Tarun Pathak, a research director at Counterpoint, wrote in Friday's report.
"We expect smartphone revenue to continue to grow through 2028 as the premiumisation trend continues across markets. New technologies like generative AI and foldables are also likely to drive ASP growth as adoption rates rise," he added.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Sunday's Super Four matches
Dubai, 3.30pm
India v Pakistan
Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm
Bangladesh v Afghanistan
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The years Ramadan fell in May
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
If you go
The flights
Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes.
The car
Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals. A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.
The hotels
Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes.
More info
To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com. Good guidebooks include the Lonely Planet guides to Northern California and Washington, Oregon & the Pacific Northwest.
SPECS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Basquiat in Abu Dhabi
One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier.
It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.
“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Company%20profile
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMay%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHusam%20Aboul%20Hosn%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDIFC%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%E2%80%94%20Innovation%20Hub%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EEmployees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeight%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-seed%20funding%20raised%20from%20family%20and%20friends%20earlier%20this%20year%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
The years Ramadan fell in May
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More on animal trafficking
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20DarDoc%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Samer%20Masri%2C%20Keswin%20Suresh%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%24800%2C000%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Flat6Labs%2C%20angel%20investors%20%2B%20Incubated%20by%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi's%20Department%20of%20Health%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
FINAL SCORES
Fujairah 130 for 8 in 20 overs
(Sandy Sandeep 29, Hamdan Tahir 26 no, Umair Ali 2-15)
Sharjah 131 for 8 in 19.3 overs
(Kashif Daud 51, Umair Ali 20, Rohan Mustafa 2-17, Sabir Rao 2-26)
