High-End Smartphones Lead Market Growth, Apple Dominates Top Spots

The global smartphone market witnessed an interesting trend in the first quarter of 2023, as high-end smartphones from Apple and Samsung defied the overall decline in sales.

According to a report by Canalys, high-end smartphones priced at $500 and above experienced a remarkable 4.7% year-on-year growth, now accounting for almost one-third of worldwide shipments.

This surge in demand for premium devices has reshaped the market landscape, with Apple emerging as the clear leader in this segment.

Apple and Samsung dominate the high-end segment

Apple’s stronghold on the high-end smartphone market has strengthened further, as the company occupied the top four spots on the list of best-selling high-end devices. The iPhone 14 Pro Max emerged as the reigning champion, followed closely by the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14, and iPhone 13.

The brand’s ability to cater to diverse consumer preferences and maintain a premium image has allowed it to retain a significant market share.

While Apple took the lion’s share of the high-end smartphone market, Samsung secured its position as the only other major player in this segment. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra secured the fifth spot on the list of best-selling high-end smartphones.

In fact, out of the 15 best-selling high-end devices, 13 were manufactured by either Samsung or Apple. Apple claimed seven positions on the list, while Samsung had six devices represented.

The remaining two spots were filled by Xiaomi 13 and the Huawei Mate 50, showcasing the strong competition in this space.