Xiaomi overtakes Apple to become the #2 smartphone brand! ?

The smartphone market is constantly changing, however, it usually follows a similar pattern. Apple and Samsung racing for the top spot, while the other companies chase the dust they leave behind. Recently, the script has flipped on its head, and Apple lost its stronghold to slip into third position. This drop coincides with the growth of Xiaomi, making the Chinese manufacturer the second-largest smartphone brand in the world!

Xiaomi: The second largest smartphone brand

What's going on?

If we look at the graph below, we can see that Xiaomi has claimed the second spot in global smartphone sales. This is not the first time though, as it happened three years prior — back in August 2021. After that, the company along with others, hit a bit of a rough patch. It has then recovered its position and has been steadily improving since 2023. As such, Xiaomi has overtaken Apple to become the second-largest smartphone brand in the world.

In the same graph, we can also see that Apple moves in cycles with a similar story every year. Its sales slowly dips every month reaching the lowest in August. Then the company launches the new iPhones in September, and sales go through the roof. It then rises to the second or even overtakes Samsung to become the No.1 smartphone brand in the world. It did so in 2023, pumping out the most sales in the last three years. Meanwhile, Samsung operates in a more steady space all year round without such drastic changes in its sales.

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How did Xiaomi become the second largest smartphone brand?

It appears to be a case of Apple dipping down to the third spot, rather than Xiaomi rising to become the second-largest smartphone brand. While that may be true, the latter is indeed growing at its own pace. This is thanks to the new product, sales and channel strategy they adopted after the supply struggles in 2022 and the first half of 2023.

Xiaomi has expanded to newer markets while keeping its product line simple with one prime offering in every price range. Its sub-brand Redmi has been competing head-to-head with Samsung in the budget segment. And its premium offerings have been no-slouch either. Critics have praised the Xiaomi 14 series and their foldable phones have also been making a name for themselves. As a result, the Chinese brand has pulled 22% year-over-year growth in the first half of 2024. Even though it is expected to slow down from here on, it will likely retain the double-digit growth percentage even in the remainder of the year.

Conclusion

Xiaomi might currently be the second-largest smartphone brand in the world, but it is in no position to hold that title for much longer. Apple has already dropped the iPhone 16 series, and their sales do not appear timid in any shape or form. Hence, the Cupertino-based company is probably en route to retake its market position. Or, it might even overtake Samsung to be the No.1! That being said, Xiaomi is indeed growing. However, it has a long journey ahead of itself to reach the heights Huawei once reached, where it could challenge the duopoly of Apple and Samsung.

• Meanwhile, check out our Xiaomi 14 Ultra review video: