Although the global semiconductor shortage continues to cause difficulties for all OEMs, the US is showing signs of recovery. In Q3, the US smartphone market grew 1% year-on-year and 9% quarter-on-quarter, as more OEMs — including Samsung — were able to secure enough supply to boost shipments.
Samsung had a shipment market share of 30% a year ago, but by the end of Q3 2021, the company was able to increase that figure to 35%. Samsung was the 2nd largest smartphone vendor in the US behind Apple. The latter company maintained solid iPhone 13 sales.
LG's exit from the smartphone market appears to have helped Motorola the most, suggests Counterpoint Research. Motorola is now the third-largest vendor in terms of shipment market share, followed by TCL and OnePlus.
Samsung is helped by Galaxy A32 5G and new-gen foldable phones
Samsung was able to gain a 5% US market share in Q3 and maintain a healthy second place, and was helped largely by the successful launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3. The new foldable flagships filled the empty spot left behind by the Galaxy Note series.
In the affordable smartphone market segment, Samsung was reportedly assisted by the release of the Galaxy A32 5G via T-Mobile and Metro. The phone was launched earlier this year, before the Galaxy Z 3 foldables were announced in August.
As of now, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3 are available in the USA at cheaper prices thanks to early Black Friday deals.
Galaxy Z Fold 3 review | Galaxy Z Flip 3 review
