More than 1 billion smartphones were shipped worldwide in 4Q 2014, with a record-setting total of 74.5 million iPhones contributing to 29 percent year-over-year growth, according to the latest market data from Juniper Research.
Smartphone OEM leader Samsung reported a decline in earnings, even as its 2014 smartphone shipments, which totaled 315 million, accounted for 25 percent of the global total. A worldwide total of 1.2 billion smartphones shipped in 4Q 2014, according to a Juniper press release.
With its 4Q smartphone shipments falling to just over 76 million, a three percent decline, Samsung’s share of the OEM smartphone market slipped. Apple, in contrast, posted a record-setting quarter for 2014’s last three months. Apple sold a total 74.5 million iPhones in 4Q, a growth rate of 90 percent quarter-to-quarter and 46 percent year-over-year.
Smartphone Market Share
Apple sold more iPhones in China than in the U.S. for the first time in 4Q, Juniper highlighted, with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus fueling sales. With a 15 percent market share for the year, Apple closed the OEM gap with Samsung.
In its “Tablets, Phablets & Hybrids: Ecosystem Evolution, Vendor Landscape & Forecasts 2014-2019” report Juniper points out that the positive reception of the iPhone 6 Plus “indicated a large potential for Apple phablets and is expected to further accelerate the ‘Bigger Screen’ trend. However, potential releases from budget vendors could outpace their expansion and reduce Apple’s overall market share in the category over time.” Juniper forecasts Apple will account for 30 percent of the phablet (5.5”-6.9”) market in 2015.
Returning to 4Q smartphone shipments, the Lenovo-Motorola combination is estimated to have shipped more than 90 million smartphones in 2014, improving its market share to slightly over seven percent.
Microsoft reportedly shipped 10.5 million Lumia smartphones in 4Q, with low-cost models driving growth. Huawei shipped over 70 million smartphones for the year. Huawei’s Honor line of smartphones made up the bulk, accounting for 28 percent of the annual total, according to Juniper.
