Apple’s Global Smartphone Market Share Falls in Q1 - Gartner

According to the latest data shared by a research firm Gartner, Apple’s global smartphone market share fell to 14.8% in the first quarter of 2016. The number of iPhones shipped to customers accounted for 51.6 million and the number of smartphones sold globally by all vendors in the first quarter grew from 336 to 349 million units. Last year, Apple’s share in the same quarter was equal to 17.9%, so the decline is easily noticeable. Despite the overall growth of the smartphone market, the demand for iPhones becomes weaker.

The number of smartphones delivered to end users in Q1 totalled 349 million globally, compared to 336 in the same period in 2015. Apple shipped 51.6 million iPhones to maintain its number two spot in the top five largest makers, while Samsung reached unit sales of 81.2 million to maintain its position as number one. The figures show Samsung extended its lead over Apple in the same period with a 23.2 percent market share, despite a slight decline from 24.1% in Q1 2015.

In order to improve the position on the global market, Apple has to release a truly revamped iPhone with at least several advanced features and design changes. Otherwise, customers won't change their iPhone 6 and 6s units for the updated model due to lack of innovation.

Will you buy an updated iPhone this fall? What features should Apple add to the handset? Leave your comments below.

[via MacRumors]