According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global smartphone revenues hit an all-time high of $120 billion during the fourth quarter of 2017. Apple captured a record 51% global smartphone revenue share, accounting for more than the rest of the entire industry combined. Linda Sui, Director at Strategy Analytics, said:
“We estimate total global smartphone wholesale revenues grew 8% annually to reach an all-time high of $120 billion during the fourth quarter of 2017. The smartphone industry’s wholesale average selling price surged 18% annually from $255 in the fourth quarter of 2016 to $300 in the final quarter of 2017. The smartphone industry has managed to increase its pricing and revenues, despite a recent decrease in shipment volumes.
Samsung grew its global smartphone wholesale revenues by 16% annually to $19 billion in the fourth quarter of 2017. Like Apple, Samsung’s smartphone wholesale ASP grew strongly, rising 21% to $254. The popularity of the company’s premium Note 8 and Galaxy S8 models, as well as fewer low-end sales in its core Asia markets such as China, drove the growth”.
Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, added:
“We estimate Apple iPhone captured a record 51% share of all smartphone wholesale revenues worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2017. Apple iPhone generated a huge $61 billion in the quarter, helped by solid demand for its premium X model, and Apple now accounts for more revenue than the rest of the entire global smartphone industry combined.
Apple generated three times more smartphone revenue than nearest rival Samsung and seven times more than Huawei. Apple iPhone’s average selling price is approaching $800 and almost three times higher than the overall industry average. Apple iPhone is an incredible money-making machine”.
Woody Oh, Director at Strategy Analytics, concluded:
“Huawei generated $8 billion of global smartphone wholesale revenues to maintain its position as the world’s third-largest vendor by turnover in the fourth quarter of 2017. Huawei’s smartphone wholesale average selling price sits at $205 today, by far the lowest pricing among the top three smartphone players.
If Huawei wants to grow its worldwide pricing and revenues even higher in the future, the company will need to grab additional market share in the high-value United States market”.
Analyst Comment
We liked the graphic below from Statista, which highlights the difference between shares in value and volume. (BR)
