The iPhone just crushed Samsung in sales — is it as bad as it seems?

The iPhone simply crushed Samsung in sales — is it as bad as it seems?

(Epitome credit: Tom's Guide)

Apple has started 2021 brilliantly, according to Counterpoint Research. The company has released its list of the ten best selling smartphones in January, and 6 of the slots are taken with iPhones.

What's more, of the remaining four slots, just ii are from Samsung — the Galaxy A31 and Galaxy A21S — both budget handsets, sold outside of the U.s. for less than $200. Meanwhile, Apple'south selection includes all four high-end iPhone 12s. Should this be cause for alert for Samsung?

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Before we go on to that, here's the listing in total. Retrieve that these figures are based on worldwide sales for January, so information technology'south entirely possible that things have turned on their head in the intervening months.

Counterpoint Research smartphone sales figures (January 2021) — (Image credit: Counterpoint Enquiry)

While information technology's pretty clear that the iPhone 12 launch has been a large success for Apple, it's important to non go too carried away about what it says about the opposition for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, the percentages involved are individually small, with fifty-fifty the all-time selling iPhone 12 grabbing just6% of the global marketplace. Add together up all the percentages of the peak 10, and it however only comes to 24%, leaving a very long and profitable tail for other manufacturers to chase. This chart favors the likes of Apple, which simply makes a scattering of handsets, against a brand similar Samsung which has dozens across the Galaxy S, Note, Z and A series.

Secondly, the timing is practiced for Apple tree. As the chart was compiled for Jan, the iPhone 12 family was the most recent big selling flagship to launch, with models offset going on auction in Oct and Nov. By dissimilarity, the Samsung Galaxy S21 went on auction on January 14 — well-nigh halfway through the reporting menstruum.

At the aforementioned time, there are certainly reasons for Samsung executives to be a little worried. First, Xiaomi's appearance above Samsung with the Redmi 9 and 9A is a business organization, given the Chinese company doesn't sell its handsets in the U.Due south. The sub-$150 handsets are taking on Samsung'southward equivalents outside the U.Due south and winning, which is a trend to scout.

Secondly, the fact that the iPhone 12 mini comes in eighth place should enhance alarm bells, given the visitor has reportedly slashed production in the face up of underwhelming sales. If information technology'south underperforming and is all the same the 8th best selling smartphone, what does that say well-nigh the opposition?

It will certainly be interesting to meet if the Samsung Milky way S21 features on February and March's charts. If it doesn't, then there could be a whole lot of force per unit area on Samsung to deliver with its next big flagship release, the Milky way Z Fold three.

More: Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. iPhone 12

Freelance contributor Alan has been writing nearly tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional magazine too. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably detect him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.