14 DAY TRIAL // Despite the pessimistic forecasts, the iPhone X remains the best-selling smartphone in the world, and now the iPhone 8 Plus is growing to secure the second position.
Data offered by Counterpoint Research reveals that two of the three iPhone models that Apple launched last year topped global smartphones in March, way ahead flagships launched by other brands, including Samsung.
Specifically, the iPhone X market share improved to 3.5% during the month, while iPhone 8 Plus jumped to the second spot with 2.3%. Xiaomi’s Redmi 5A rounded up the top three with 1.8% share.
As for Samsung, the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ both reached 1.6% each, enough to secure the fifth and the sixth positions in the chart, respectively.
“Samsung Galaxy S9 series helped increase Samsung’s share in the ultra-premium segment, though iPhone X maintained its lead as the top-selling model in the segment. Samsung doubled its share in the premium-tier ($600-$800), but faced tough competition in the mid and low tier segments from Chinese OEMs (Oppo, vivo, Huawei, Xiaomi),” CR notes.
More affordable iPhone
The smaller iPhone 8 is far behind with just 1.4% share, and this can only be good news for Apple, as these numbers indicate that customers are slowly migrating to bigger devices. The high price point of the top iPhone doesn’t seem to be a problem, as many analysts predicted lately.
Xiaomi and Samsung dominated sales in the entry-level smartphone market, a sector that Apple isn’t interested in, though there are rumors that Cupertino could launch a more affordable model this year as well.
A 6.1-inch LCD cheaper iPhone is expected to see daylight in September, yet there’s a good chance it won’t be part of the affordable phone market. The device could cost around $600, according to analyst forecasts, and come with Face ID, but without more advanced features like a glass body and dual-camera support.