Apple's share of the worldwide smartphone market grew slightly in the first three months of 2018, despite Samsung launching the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ in March, according to research firms IDC and Strategy Analytics.
Apple on Tuesday reported that it sold 52.2 million iPhones last quarter. Based on that, the research firms estimate that the iPhone accounted for around 15.5 percent of smartphone shipments during the quarter, a slight increase from 14.7 percent in the year-ago period.
While the single-percentage-point growth is modest, the slight gain becomes more impressive when considering that the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ launched March 16 in several countries, a full two weeks prior to the quarter ending. Pre-orders of the devices began even earlier on March 2.
Samsung shipped 78.2 million smartphones last quarter, according to the research firms, but its estimated 22.6 to 23.4 percent market share was essentially unchanged from the year-ago quarter, despite the bumped-up Galaxy S9 launch. Last year, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ were released April 21.
Samsung continues to lead the smartphone market in shipments, but it sells a variety of handsets at a wide range of price points. Apple typically ships fewer iPhones, but the company captured an estimated 87 percent of smartphone profits in the December quarter, according to research firm Canaccord Genuity.
Apple doesn't disclose iPhone sales on a model-by-model basis, but given iPhone revenue increased 14 percent last quarter despite only a three percent rise in unit sales, the higher-priced iPhone X was likely a big factor.
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:28 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
If you have been experiencing issues with wireless CarPlay in your vehicle lately, it was likely due to a software bug that has now been fixed.
Apple released iOS 18.4.1 today, and the update's release notes say it "addresses a rare issue that prevents wireless CarPlay connection in certain vehicles."
If wireless CarPlay was acting up for you, updating your iPhone to iOS 18.4.1 should...
Thursday April 17, 2025 4:12 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup.
If you skipped the iPhone...
Tuesday April 15, 2025 6:31 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple is preparing a "bold" new iPhone Pro model for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. As part of what's being described as a "major shake-up," Apple is said to be developing a design that makes more extensive use of glass – and this could point directly to the display itself.
Here's the case for Apple releasing a truly all-screen iPhone with no...
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025:
Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and ...
The first iOS 19 beta is less than two months away, and there are already a handful of new features that are expected with the update.
Apple should release the first iOS 19 beta to developers immediately following the WWDC 2025 keynote, which is scheduled for Monday, June 9. Following beta testing, the update should be released to the general public in September.
Below, we recap the key...
This week saw rumor updates on the iPhone 17 Pro and next-generation Vision Pro, while a minor iOS 18.4.1 update delivered not just security fixes but also a fix for some CarPlay issues.
We also looked ahead at what else is in Apple's pipeline for the rest of 2025 and even the 20th-anniversary iPhone coming in 2027, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!
iPhone 17 ...
Wednesday April 16, 2025 10:04 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today released tvOS 18.4.1, a minor update to the tvOS 18 operating system that came out last September. tvOS 18.4.1 comes two weeks after Apple released tvOS 18.4, and it is available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models.
tvOS 18.4.1 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the Apple TV. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software....
The S9 is a complete flop ('https://www.macrumors.com/2018/04/17/iphone-x-35-percent-q4-2017-smartphone-profits/').
When Samsun's own Display division reported lackluster OLED sales for top-tier phones, analysts jumped to the conclusion that that phone was the iPhone X. Now we know it wasn't the case.
Well, Apple just told us the iPhone X is the best selling phone in Apple's lineup since release the best selling phone in China. Apple also has the top 3 best selling phones in Asia.
It's official, Apple is dominating and iPhone X was a HUGE "Superbowl" success. ;) [doublepost=1525273618][/doublepost]
I bought an S9. My fifth Android and first that feels as responsive (snappy) as an iPhone.
6 months after it released, the iPhone X is no longer in production smh.
False, fake news. It's the best selling iPhone every week since release. PRETTY sure they need to make it until the new phones drop. They don't have enough channel inventory until September to meet demand, lol.
iPhone X being out of the lineup in September will have nothing to do with poor sales and everything to do with product positioning.
There will be FaceID phones OVER $999, so it's not because the X was starting at $999. [doublepost=1525275213][/doublepost]
Xiaomi is actually the most interesting part about this chart. They will soon be number 3.
Edit: why did MR cut off the year over year change from the chart? it was there a few minutes ago..
Edit2: and now they added it back, lol
It is interesting, but only as it relates to other budget Android. The "Others" y/y change are clearly the ones being hit by Xiaomi. They don't impact Apple, as predicted.
Remember folks, it's about the software/hardware integration. People that buy Apple phones want iOS so a cheap Android with similar hardware isn't going to compare.
The S9 is a complete flop ('https://www.macrumors.com/2018/04/17/iphone-x-35-percent-q4-2017-smartphone-profits/').
When Samsun's own Display division reported lackluster OLED sales for top-tier phones, analysts jumped to the conclusion that that phone was the iPhone X. Now we know it wasn't the case.
If it is a flop that’s a shame. It’s a pleasure to use and has definite advantages over the X I had. I get much better call quality and the cameras on the S9+ are amazing. It records gorgeous videos in beautiful immersive stereo audio. The display is great and doesn’t give me eye strain due to flicker the way the one on the X did. It retains the headphone jack. It has fantastic water resistance. It comes in gorgeous colors.
It is possible it might start to lag in a few months. But my iPhone 7 Plus did after updates, too. So far it’s going strong for both me and my husband.
It really doesn’t deserve to flop. I was pretty salty on Samsung but the S9+ has reeled me back in again.
I don’t think the X deserved to flop, either. It wasn’t the right choice for me, but for a first generation of a new form factor that is debuting new technology, it seemed pretty polished. If it’s doing well, that’s very encouraging. I hope Apple refines and fixes a few issues it has and does well.
