The smartphone industry is arguably at its most competitive this year, with many giants appearing to falter. That of course means that other smaller, more nimble brands have seen encouraging growth – and according to a research report, both Asus and Vivo have been making huge strides this year.
Research company Counterpoint Research has released a report that based on numbers as of Q2 2015, Asus is the world’s fastest growing smartphone brand, closely followed by Vivo. Year-on-year, Asus has shipped five times more smartphones compared to the same period one year ago. Meanwhile, Vivo’s smartphone shipments in Q2 2015 revealed a 400% spike year-on-year.
Globally, Samsung remains the most popular smartphone brand, with about 21% market share – a huge drop that has seen it closely followed by Apple – with just two iPhone models – having 14% global market share. Huawei cemented its third spot at 9%, while popular Chinese startup Xiaomi is fourth with 5%.
What’s also interesting is in the breakdown of data based on regions. Apple holds a strong hold over North America, where it holds close to 35% market share. In every other region, Samsung reigns supreme, though in varying degrees of dominance.
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The most interesting market is in Asia, where its immense smartphone growth is matched only by the intensity of competition. Giants such as Samsung and HTC have seen their market shares dwindle as China’s smartphone brands begin exploring new markets, including the huge base of new smartphone users in India. No single smartphone brand holds more than 15% market share in the Asian region, as companies race to the bottom to see which can produce the most affordable but feature packed smartphone to capture the budget-conscious Asian market.
Taiwanese company Asus, better known for its PC hardware and gaming laptops, have been investing an increasing amount of time in the mobile industry. Last year saw the introduction of its Intel-powered ZenFone series, and this year, the ZenFone 2 lineup has seen phenomenal growth. The success of the ZenFone 2 line has been the primary factor behind the company’s recent announcement as being the second-largest smartphone brand in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Vivo is another Chinese smartphone maker that has stealthily been making big strides. Its strategy of selling very affordable devices and holding plenty of on-ground promotions and events appears to have reaped its benefits even in Malaysia, where the company has a strong following in many states outside of Kuala Lumpur.
(Source: Counterpoint Research via Android Authority)
