Global smartphone shipments increased eight per cent year-on-year to 320 million units in the fourth quarter (Q4) of last year, ending seven consecutive quarters of decline.
Apple overtook Samsung to the top spot in the quarter, Canalys Research showed.
In a statement, Canalys Senior Analyst, Toby Zhu, explained the smartphone market is heading in the right direction, pointing to improved demand during the holidays and increased variety in mid-to-low range devices.
Zhu also pointed to a “rebound in demand” in emerging markets, including Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East and Africa.
The analyst said vendors are finally able to put more attention on innovation and strategy developments as “inventory pressure” and inflation ease.
Apple led for the first time with a 24 per cent market share, ahead of Samsung’s 17 per cent.
Canalys Research Manager, Amber Liu, said the iPhone maker showed resilience in the past two years due to solid demand in the high-end segment, aided by the expanded positioning of the iPhone 15 series, but warned competition in China represents a challenge to sustained growth in the country.
Xiaomi, Oppo and Transsion garnered 13 per cent, nine per cent and eight per cent shares, respectively.
Zhu also highlighted new Android flagship models benefiting from an “on-device AI trend”, pointing to Google Pixel and “several Chinese vendors.”
Full-year shipments decreased four per cent to 1.1 billion units.
