Global smartphone sales grew by 6% in 2021, according to research firm Gartner. The first half of 2021 witnessed a recovery in smartphone sales, after declining by 12.5% in the world 2020. The decline in sales due to the “Covid-19” pandemic last year, and then the revival of growth in the first half of 2021 helped drive growth ahead. However, component shortages and supply chain challenges caused smartphone sales to falter during the second half of 2021.
Anshul Gupta, head of research at Gartner, said: "A number of factors helped drive sales in the first half of the year, including improved consumer sentiment and waning demand during 2020 in large markets such as China and India. However, the markets have seen a reversal in this trend. "By the second half of the year, in addition to high consumer demand. In fact, many popular phone models out of stock, or even limited quantities are available, prevented further sales potential until 2022."
Apple has maintained its leadership among the top five smartphone companies. The huge demand for "iPhone" phones was driven by the upgrade of the fifth generation services. Samsung also witnessed an increase in demand for its premium phones list, and recorded an increase in sales by 11% compared to the last quarter of 2020.
Chinese smartphone manufacturers Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo have expanded the distribution network of their products in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Europe, with the aim of seizing the opportunities left by Huawei and LG after their decision to exit the smartphone business in year 2020.