In this article, we will discuss the 20 most valuable smartphone companies in the world. You can skip our industry overview and go directly to the 5 Most Valuable Smartphone Companies in the World.
Smartphones have revolutionized the way we live our lives. Thanks to these gadgets, we can access a wealth of information, entertainment, and communication at our fingertips. But beyond their utility and convenience, the smartphone sector has also become one of the world’s most valuable and lucrative industries. From Apple and Samsung to Huawei and Xiaomi, the companies that manufacture these devices have risen to the top of the global market, competing fiercely for market share and driving innovation at a breakneck pace.
Before we dive deep into the details of individual performances fueling the fierce smartphone market competition, it helps to explore the industry at large. Smartphone companies overall shipped 1.21 billion units in 2022, according to market research firm IDC. This, the firm said, represents the lowest global total annual shipment in nine years. The decline is largely due to global economic uncertainties and inflation, all of which dampened consumer demand.
Despite the decline, the shipment total is miles ahead of the figure when smartphones were just making their way to global markets. For example, only 173 million devices were shipped in 2009. The market then witnessed wild growth in sales, peaking at 1.47 billion units in 2016. This growth was primarily fueled by an exponential increase in smartphone adoption worldwide.
The number of smartphone users has consistently increased annually, although the net increase is thinning. For example, there were over 500 million new smartphone users every year between 2017 and 2020, bankmycell data shows. However, this number has now reduced to less than 350 million between 2020 and 2023.
However, it is worth noting that worldwide smartphone sales are not declining because of challenges related to the technology. On the contrary, we have already seen that smartphone adoption is rising, meaning that unit sales will continue to grow. An IMARC Group analysis determined that the global smartphone market will reach 1.77 billion units by 2028, which shows a 3.6% CAGR between 2023 and 2028.
Back to the smartphone companies. This article will take a closer look at the world’s 20 most valuable smartphone companies. For years, Apple, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Ltd. have vied for the first place, leaving competitors in the dust. For example, the latest statistics from StatCounter show that Samsung claims 27.97% of the global smartphone market against 28.64% for Apple.
Our Methodology
We mentioned the biggest smartphone companies in terms of market share based on data from StatCounter.
Most Valuable Smartphone Companies in the World
20. Gionee
Market Share: 0.02%
Founded: 2002
First model: F103 (2016)
Gionee is a Chinese smartphone company with a big market presence in developing countries, including India, Thailand, Bangladesh, and many parts of Africa. The company has a long list of smartphone models for entry-level and mid-range market segments.
Even at their modest prices, Gionee phones are known for the sleek design and exciting camera features. The company holds 0.02% share of the global smartphone market.
19. Honor
Market Share: 0.08%
Founded: 2013
First model: Honor V40
Honor is a Chinese smartphone brand previously owned by Huawei. It makes mid-range and high-end smartphones.
Honor smartphones run the Android software. The company sells its products around the world, including the U.S. and India.
Honor phones boast top-notch features in areas such as camera and display. The company controls 0.08% share of the global smartphone market.
18. HTC
Market Share: 0.09%
Founded: 1997
First model: Z HTC Magic (2009)
HTC is a Taiwanese consumer electronics company whose products include smartphones. The company initially produced smartphones on contract for other clients, including Google and wireless operator T-Mobile.
HTC smartphones run the Android software. The company makes smartphones under various brands names, including HTC Desire, HTC One, and HTC Bolt.
HTC smartphones are known for their beautiful designs and powerful cameras. The company has devices for mid-range and high-end market segments. It controls 0.09% share of the global smartphone market.
17. ZTE
Market Share: 0.11%
Founded: 1985
First model: ZTE Blade V880 (2010)
ZTE Corporation is a Chinese telecom equipment and smartphone company. It produces smartphones under various brands, including Blade, Axon, Avid, and Nubia.
ZTE smartphones run the Android software and are sold all over the world. The company has a broad market approach, selling budget, mid-range, and high-end smartphones with powerful and exciting features.
ZTE holds 0.11% share of the global smartphone market.
16. Itel Mobile
Market Share: 0.24%
Founded: 2013
First model: it1520 (2017)
Itel is a Chinese consumer electronics company with a big presence in developing countries. Apart from smartphones, Itel also makes laptops, televisions, and home appliances.
Itel smartphones run the Android software. The company has released many smartphone models and it primarily targets the budget market segment. Itel holds 0.24% share of the global smartphone market.
15. Asus
Market Share: 0.26%
Founded: 1989
First model: ZenFone 4 (2014)
Asus is a Taiwanese consumer electronics company. Although the company is best known for its line of Asus laptops, it is also a major player in the smartphone market.
Asus smartphones run the Android software and they sell under the ZenFone brand name. The company has several ZenFone smartphone models on the market at various price points.
Asus holds 0.26% share of the global smartphone market.
14. Sony
Market Share: 0.35%
Founded: 1946
First model: Sony Ericsson P910 (2006)
Sony is a Japanese conglomerate whose consumer electronic products include televisions, cameras, laptops, and smartphones.
The company now makes smartphones under the Xperia brand. These devices run the Android software. Initially, Sony smartphones were branded Sony Ericsson and they ran the Symbian operating system.
The first Sony Xperia smartphone model, the Xperia X1, hit the market in 2008.
Sony controls 0.35% of the global smartphone market.
13. HMD Global (Nokia)
Market Share: 0.49%
Founded: 2016
First model: Nokia 6 (2017)
HMD Global is a Finland smartphone manufacturer. While you may not have heard this name, HMD Global is the company that makes Nokia phones.
The company has built many Nokia smartphone models for budget, mid-range, and high-end markets. Nokia phones run the popular Android software.
HDM Global holds 0.49% share of the global smartphone market through the Nokia brand.
12. Google
Market Share: 0.75%
Founded: 1998
First model: Pixel and Pixel XL (October 2016)
Google is a member of the Alphabet corporate family. The American technology giant is headquartered in California.
Google makes smartphones under the Pixel brand. Pixel phones run Android software, which is owned by Google but licensed to many smartphone companies.
Before coming out with the Pixel, Google tried its hands on the smartphone business in various ways. It acquired Motorola in 2012, one of the notable smartphone brands at the time. But the Motorola acquisition still didn’t give Google the big break in wanted in the smartphone market.
Google updates its Pixel lineup every year. The company manufactures the devices in China. But it has considered diversifying Pixel phone manufacturing to other countries, including India.
Google controls 0.75% share of the global smartphone market.
11. Infinix Mobile
Market Share: 0.92%
Founded: 2013
First model: Infinix Zero (2014)
Infinix is a Chinese smartphone company with manufacturing facilities around the world, including France, India, Korea, and Egypt. Infinix smartphones run the popular Android software.
The company has released many phone models under brand names such as Infinix Hot, Infinix Note, Infinix Zero, and Infinix Smart. Infinix puts great emphasis on camera features in its products.
Infinix holds 0.92% of the global smartphone market share.
10. Tecno Mobile
Market Share: 0.97%
Founded: 2006
First model: T1 (2012)
Tecno Mobile is a Chinese smartphone company with a global footprint. It makes Android smartphones that sell under its namesake Tecno brand.
The Tecno smartphone brand caters to budget, mid-range, and high-end market segments. Even at the high-end price point, Tecno phones are affordably priced and come with powerful camera and display features.
Tecno holds 0.97% share of the global smartphone market.
9. OnePlus
Market Share: 1.09%
Founded: 2013
First model: OnePlus One (2014)
OnePlus is a Chinese consumer electronics company that makes smartphones, wearables, and other products. It belongs to the BBK Electronics corporate family alongside Vivo and Oppo.
The company makes smartphones under the OnePlus and OnePlus Nord brands. OnePlus smartphones run Android software.
8. Motorola Mobility
Market Share: 2.44%
Founded: 2011
First model: Moto X (2015 – under Lenovo ownership)
Motorola Mobility is a consumer electronics company headquartered in Chicago, U.S. The company is owned by Chinese multinational Lenovo, which acquired the business in 2014 from Google.
7. Realme
Market Share: 3.28%
Founded: 2018
First model: Realme 1 (May 2018)
Realme is a Chinese smartphone company. It makes smartphones under the Realme brand and has several product models.
6. Vivo
Market Share: 4.45%
Founded: 2009
First model: Vivo V1 (2015)
Vivo is a Chinese multinational consumer electronics company. It makes smartphones, wearables, and other products. Vivo is part of the BBK Electronics corporate family, which also includes OnePlus and Oppo.
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Disclosure: None. 20 Most Valuable Smartphone Companies in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.