Smartphone shipments in Latin America for the first quarter totaled 31 million units according to the latest Channels report. The new figure represents a 3% drop from the same period last year. Samsung was the clear leader in terms of shipments (13.4 million) and market share (43%) in the region. Lenovo came in second with 5.5 million shipments and an 18% market share, but the company also recorded the largest annual decline in market share with an annual decline of 20%. Xiaomi came in third with 4.3 million shipments and a 14% market share.
Apple followed with 1.5 million shipments and a 5% market share, while Oppo broke 1 million shipments for the first time thanks to strong sales in Mexico that earned it a 3% share of the LATAM market. Oppo also had the highest annual growth of 34%.
| Smartphone shipments in Latin America and annual growth. Impulse of the Canalys smartphone market: 1st quarter 2022 | |||||
| Salesperson | Shipments Q1 2022 (millions) | Market share in the first quarter of 2022 | Shipping Q1 2021 (millions) | Market share in the first quarter of 2021 | Annual growth |
| SAMSUNG | 13.4 | 43% | 13.6 | 43% | -2% |
| Lenovo | 5.5 | 18% | 6.9 | 22% | -20% |
| Xiaomi | 4.3 | 14% | 3.6 | 11% | 18% |
| Apple | 1.5 | 5% | 1.3 | 4% | 16% |
| Oppo | 1.0 | 3% | 0.7 | 2% | 34% |
| Other | 5.3 | 17% | 5.6 | 18% | -76% |
| Total | 31.0 | 100% | 31.8 | 100% | -3% |
| Notes: Percentages may not reach 100% due to rounding Source: Canalys Smartphone Analysis (sell-in shipments), May 2022 |
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While the rest of the world is dealing with gloomy macroeconomic prospects, South American markets appear to have an optimistic outlook with brands like Honor, Xiaomi, Transsion (Infininx) and BBK’s Realme and vivo having ambitious expansion plans. Forecasts predict a 4% growth in smartphone shipments for 2022.
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