Smartphone shipments in Europe fell 12% to 49 million in the first quarter of 2022, the lowest volume for the three-month period in nine years.
Counterpoint Research figures and the strength of fears that geopolitical and economic uncertainty will hamper any chance of a major market rally. (opens in a new tab)
Traditionally weak seasonal demand has been exacerbated by Covid-19 related lockdowns, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, rising cost of living in many countries and ongoing component shortages hampering production.
Smartphone sales in China
Samsung's shipments fell 16% year-on-year, but it remains the largest supplier in the region with a 35% share, while Apple's shipments fell 6%, coming in second with a 25% share. %. Xiaomi saw its shipments fall by a third, while Oppo's dropped slightly by 8%.
However, Realme (opens in a new tab) increased shipments by 67% to double its market share to 4%, enough for fifth place.
Analysts at Counterpoint Research said deteriorating economic conditions and the effects of the war are likely to cause further declines in 2022.
“Existing problems like covid-19 and component shortages have been exacerbated by new economic and geopolitical challenges,” Counterpoint Research associate director Jan Stryja suggested. Rising inflation levels in the region are weighing on consumer spending, while Samsung and Apple, Russia's top third-party smartphone vendors, halted all shipments to Europe's largest market in early March. of 2022.
“The two vendors account for about half of Russian smartphone shipments, but their combined shipments in Russia account for only 6% of total European smartphone shipments.
“The consequences of its withdrawal are therefore still relatively weak on a regional scale. However, the impact of the war may have broader ramifications if it leads to lower availability of raw materials, higher prices, additional inflationary pressure and/or the withdrawal of other suppliers from Russia.