In Canalys’s recent analysis, Apple’s iPhone range emerged as the leader in the high-end segment for Q1 2023. The iPhone 14 Pro Max secured the top-selling flagship position, followed by the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14, and iPhone 13.
Premium devices with an MSRP of over $500 accounted for 31% of all shipments from January to March 2023, marking the highest percentage in the past five years. This specific category experienced a 4.7% YoY growth, significantly outperforming the overall smartphone market, which saw a 13.3% decline year-over-year.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra ranked as the best-selling Android flagship in Q1, with Samsung and Apple devices predominantly filling the Top 15 spots due to their extensive availability in the premium market.
Comparatively, Google offers the Pixel 7 series in only 17 countries, Oppo restricts the Find N2 to China, and Honor is still catching up, having just launched the Magic5 Pro in April.
According to Canalys analyst Nicole Peng, it will take some time for manufacturers to regain momentum and witness a significant increase in shipments. Although 2023 is predicted to experience slow demand, there are expectations of a resurgence in growth by 2024.