Global Mobile Phone Shipments Reach 445 Million Units in Q1 2015

According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global mobile phone shipments grew 8 percent annually to reach 445 million units in the first quarter of 2015. Apple was the star performer, as it jumped from 11 percent to 14 percent marketshare in the past year, due to strength in China.

Woody Oh, Director at Strategy Analytics, said, “Global mobile phone shipments grew 8 percent annually from 411.8 million units in Q1 2014 to 445.1 million in Q1 2015. Smartphones accounted for 8 in 10 of total mobile phone shipments during the quarter. The 8 percent growth rate of the overall mobile phone market is being driven by healthy demand for 3G and 4G models across Asia, Africaand the Americas.”

Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “Samsung dipped 12 percent annually and shipped 99.0 million mobile phones worldwide, capturing 22 percent marketshare in Q1 2015. Samsung continues to face tough competition from Apple, but recent strong demand for its new Galaxy S6 devices indicates Samsung could deliver an improved performance in the coming second quarter of this year. Apple soared 40 percent annually and shipped 61.2 million mobile phones for 14 percent worldwide marketshare in Q1 2015. Apple’s new iPhone 6 portfolio is flying off the shelves in China and the United States, its two biggest markets.”

Ken Hyers, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “Microsoft shipped 33.7 million mobile phones worldwide in Q1 2015, down 28 percent from 47.0 million a year earlier. Microsoft’s 8 percent global mobile phone marketshare is sitting near an all-time low. Microsoft continues to lose ground in feature phones, while its Lumia smartphone portfolio is in a holding pattern awaiting the launch of new Windows 10 software later this year.”

Exhibit 1: Global Mobile Phone Vendor Shipments and Market Share in Q1 2015 [1]