Asia Tech Wire (Oct 15) -- Global smartphone shipments grew 5% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2024, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of growth, market research firm Canalys noted on Monday.

According to Canalys, Samsung took the lead in smartphone shipments in the quarter, accounting for 18% globally, while Apple came in second with an 18% market share.

Meanwhile, China's top three cell phone brands performed well in the third quarter of 2024. In terms of shipments for the quarter, Xiaomi continued to remain the third largest smartphone vendor with 14% market share, OPPO returned to fourth in the market for the first time this year with 9% market share, and vivo rounded out the top five with double-digit growth rates, as well as a 9% market share.

Runar Bjørhovde, analyst at Canalys, emphasized that "Apple achieved its highest third-quarter volume to date and has never been closer to leading the global smartphone market in a Q3 than now."

"The ongoing strong demand for the iPhone 15 series, along with Apple’s legacy models, played a crucial role in its Q3 performance," said Bjørhovde.