Although overall global smartphone sales in 2022 fell 12% YoY due to macroeconomic difficulties, global premium (≥$600 wholesale price) smartphone sales climbed 1% YoY in contrast, which allowed the price segment to contribute to 55% of the total global smartphone market revenue for the first time ever.

The premium segment, which has been consistently outperforming the global smartphone market, captured more than one-fifth of total global smartphone sales as well.

There are several reasons for this growth. Despite the tough market conditions in 2022, affluent consumers were more immune to the macroeconomic difficulties than customers from the lower end. Consequently, sales in the premium market grew, while those in the entry and mid-tier segments declined. Also, as smartphones become more central to their lives, people are ready to spend more on their devices and retain them for a longer period. This is also one of the reasons the $1,000 and above price segment was the fastest growing (38% YoY) in 2022.

Another key factor for growth has been the “premiumization” trend across regions. Demand in the premium segment is driven by people getting an upgrade to their last device. The upgrades are evident not only in mature markets like North America but also in emerging economies where consumers on their third or fourth device start to break into the premium market.

Among OEMs, sales for Apple grew 6% YoY in the premium market, expanding its share to capture three-fourths of the total sales in the segment. Apple could have grown more, if not for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max supply disruption during the peak holiday season in 2022. Apple also gained from Huawei’s decline in China. Apple was followed by Samsung whose sales declined 5% YoY in 2022. 

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For Apple, the growth in mature markets came from the upgrades in its installed base. The stickiness of the iOS ecosystem with multiple devices and services is high. If an iPhone user also owns an Apple Watch or Mac, the individual’s next smartphone upgrade will likely be another iPhone. Also, because of Apple’s aspirational brand value and step-by-step expansion, its sales have been growing in emerging economies as well. Android’s loss of share to iOS in the premium segment is also one of the reasons for Google’s smartphone push.

For information on Apple's competitors and other charts, review the full Counterpoint report.