A new report from Canalys states that the iPhone leads in Q4 sales data. Apple enjoyed a 22% share of all smartphone shipments for the last quarter of 2021. This is thanks to the overwhelming success and high demand for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro. Notably, Apple took the crown away from Samsung for overall shipments who finished in second place. Samsung shipped the most units in Q3 2021 and did in fact increase their market share in Q4 2021 to 20% compared to 17% a year ago.
The iPhone 13 has performed especially well in China and Apple was able to capitalise on its mastery of the supply chain. No easy task given the challenges presented by the pandemic and the semiconductor crisis. That being said demand continued to outstrip supply across the quarter and it’s likely Apple could have sold more.
“Supply chain disruption affected low-end vendors the most,” said Canalys VP Mobility Nicole Peng. “Component manufacturers are eking out additional production, but it will take years for major foundries to significantly increase chip capacity. Smartphone brands are already innovating to make the most of their circumstances, tweaking device specs in response to available materials, approaching emerging chipmakers to secure new sources for ICs, focusing product lines on the best-selling models and staggering new product releases. These practices lend an advantage to larger brands, and they are set to stay for the short term, as bottlenecks will not ease until the second half of 2022.
Canalys
If supply chain woes ease across 2022 and with Apple’s rumoured redesign for the iPhone 14, Apple could see its most successful holiday period ever later this year. Leaks suggest the design will be inspired by the iPhone 4. Often regarded as the pinnacle of iPhone design by many Apple fans.
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