Report: Smartphone shipments down globally, Huawei pushes Apple to #3 position

International Data Corporation (IDC) reported that Q2 smartphone shipments were down just under 2 percent annually. According to the tracking firm, “the drop marks the third consecutive quarter of year-over-year declines for the global smartphone market.”

The report also asserts that China’s Huawei has overtaken Apple as the world’s second-largest phone maker by market share. Indeed, China manufacturers dominate, taking three out of the top five spots (or four, if one considers the iPhone is made in China).

Also noteworthy, Samsung remains the global smartphone leader despite a 10 percent decline in unit shipments year over year. The S9 phone was a sales disappointment for the Korean giant. IDC also said that Xiaomi is gaining on Samsung or ahead in key markets such as India.

Huawei, the new number two, is considered a security risk by many Western governments. The company (along with telecoms equipment maker ZTE) has been accused of helping perform surveillance for the Chinese government.

About The Author

Greg Sterling

Greg Sterling is a Contributing Editor at Search Engine Land. He writes a personal blog, Screenwerk, about connecting the dots between digital media and real-world consumer behavior. He is also VP of Strategy and Insights for the Local Search Association. Follow him on Twitter or find him at Google+.