Samsung retook first place in the global smartphone race during the first quarter of 2015, although its overall market declined.
The South Korean electronics giant shipped 83.2 million smartphones in the three months to 31 March, according to figures published by Strategy Analytics on Wednesday, compared to second-placed Apple, which shipped 61.2 million over the same period.
The two companies drew level in the previous quarter, shipping 74.5 million smartphones apiece.
Samsung’s "global performance has stabilised sufficiently well this quarter to overtake Apple and recapture first position as the world’s largest smartphone vendor by volume," said Neil Mawston, executive director of Strategy Analytics, in a research note on Wednesday.
Despite reclaiming first place, Samsung’s share of the global smartphone market was down on Q1 2014, slipping to 24.1% from 31.2%. Meanwhile, Apple’s increased to 17.7% from 15.3%.
Furthermore, Samsung’s smartphone shipments of 83.2 million were also down from 89 million last year, while Apple’s increased substantially to 61.2 million from 43.7 million.
"Apple’s new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models remain wildly popular in China and worldwide, as consumers upgrade to larger-screen phablets for enhanced data experiences," said Mawston.
The figures were published the same day that Samsung reported its first quarter financial results that were in line with preliminary figures announced in April.
In the three months to 31 March, the company generated sales of 47.1 trillion won (€40 billion), down from KRW53.7 trillion a year ago. Operating profit fell 29.5% to KRW6 trillion (€5 billion), while net prof it declined to KRW4.6 trillion from KRW7.6 trillion.
