All articles tagged with #premium smartphones
Google's Pixels have re-entered the global top 5 in the premium smartphone market, driven by the success of the Pixel 9 series and a 105% year-over-year growth, with Google doubling sales last year. Apple remains the leader with a 62% market share, followed by Samsung at 20%, while Huawei and Xiaomi also see significant growth.
Samsung unveils thinner, lighter foldable phones with AI features to compete in the premium segment and regain market share, while also launching AI-enabled smartwatches, but faces challenges due to high prices and niche market status of foldables.
Xiaomi is rolling out stable builds of the latest MIUI version based on Android 14 to its premium smartphones, including the Xiaomi 13, 13 Pro, and 12T, beating many other Android phones to the update. While the update is stable, Xiaomi is still working on refining it, so there may be some bugs or software quirks. This is a significant development for Xiaomi users, as they will be among the first to experience the new features and improvements of Android 14.
The upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models are rumored to come in new signature colors, including "Titan Gray" and a dark blue. There is also speculation that the higher-end phones will be offered in titanium instead of stainless steel. Additionally, leaks suggest that the baseline iPhone 15 will come in a range of colors such as pink, green, blue, yellow, black, and possibly orange. Apple's fall showcase event is expected to reveal the new iPhones, along with other products like the Apple Watch Series 9.
Despite a 12% YoY decline in global smartphone sales in 2022, the premium (≥$600 wholesale price) smartphone market grew 1% YoY, contributing to 55% of the total global smartphone market revenue for the first time ever. The growth in the premium segment is due to affluent consumers being more immune to macroeconomic difficulties, people spending more on their devices, and the "premiumization" trend across regions. Apple captured three-fourths of all smartphone sales in the premium market, followed by Samsung. Android has been ceding share to iOS in the premium segment, but Android could see a new wave of growth in 2023 with more OEMs launching foldable devices.