Samsung beats Apple to become top phone maker
Listen to the story (South African accent)
In the first quarter of 2024, Apple’s iPhone sales fell 10%. This was due to more competition from Android phone makers, according to a report from a research company called IDC.
During the same period, the number of smartphones sold worldwide increased 7.8% to 289.4 million phones. Samsung, with a market share of 20.8%, took the top spot from Apple.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, Apple sold more phones than any other company. But now, it’s in second place with a 17.3% market share. This is because Chinese brands like Huawei are selling more phones.
Xiaomi, another top phone maker from China, had a 14.1% market share and sold the third most number of phones.
Samsung, from South Korea, launched its new Galaxy S24 phone at the start of 2024. It sold more than 60 million phones in the first quarter.
Apple sold 50.1 million iPhones in the first quarter, down from 55.4 million in the same period last year.
In China, Apple’s iPhone sales fell by 2.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the year before. This might be because some Chinese companies and government agencies are limiting the use of Apple devices.
In June, Apple will hold its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The company will announce updates to the software used in iPhones, iPads, and other devices.
Investors are watching for updates on how Apple will use artificial intelligence in its devices.
Earlier this year, Apple lost its place as the world’s most valuable company to Microsoft.
Vocabulary23 words
- Quarter
- A period of three months;
- Fall
- To go down; to decrease
- Due to
- because of; owing to
- Competition
- challenger; opponent; rival; enemy; opposition; another business selling the same product/service
- According to
- as ‘someone’ said; as stated by ‘someone’; in the opinion of ‘someone’
- Report
- a written description of an event; story; article; the results of a study or project
- Research
- the process/act of studying something to learn more about it and gain new understanding
- Period
- a length of time; or portion of time
- Worldwide
- all around the world; everywhere in the world
- Million
- 1,000,000 = one-million
- Market share
- the percentage or amount of a market or field; For example, if all phone sales equal 100%, Apple’s sales or market share is 17.3% of that.
- Top spot
- The first/best position in a ranking;
- Place
- position or rank in a competition/tournament; 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, etc.
- Brand
- the name of a company and its image; one product with a specific name made by one company, e.g., Sprite is one of Coca-Cola’s brands
- Top
- the highest point or rank; the best
- Launch
- start selling something; introduce a new product or service; to start using a new thing
- Limit
- to restrict; to control something so that it is not greater than a particular amount, number, or level;
- Hold
- to organize; to arrange; to have an event; host
- Announce
- share information openly; to tell the public; to make a statement; to report
- Update
- To make something new or better; a point or feature that has been improved or made newer
- Software
- Programs or applications that are installed on a computer or smartphone (e.g., Microsoft Office is software, Safari web browser is software)
- Device
- electronic equipment like watch, camera, phone, etc.
- Valuable
- worth a lot of money; very important;
Quiz
Answer key
1. 17.3% 2. Microsoft 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
In the first _____ of 2024, Apple’s iPhone sales fell 10%. This was due to more _____ from Android phone makers, according to a report from a _____ company called IDC.
During the same period, the number of _____ sold worldwide increased 7.8% to 289.4 million phones. Samsung, with a _____ share of 20.8%, took the top spot from Apple.
In the _____ quarter of 2023, Apple sold more phones than any other company. _____ now, it’s in second place with a 17.3% market share. _____ is because Chinese brands like Huawei are selling more phones.
Xiaomi, _____ top phone maker from China, had a _____% market share and sold the third most number of phones.
Samsung, from _____ _____, launched its new Galaxy S24 phone at the start of 2024. It sold more than _____ million phones in the first quarter.
Apple sold _____ million iPhones in the first quarter, down from 55.4 million in the _____ period last year.
In China, Apple’s iPhone _____ fell by 2.1% in the fourth quarter of_____ compared to the year before. This might be because some _____ companies and government agencies are limiting the _____ of Apple devices.
In June, Apple will _____ its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The company will _____ updates to the software used in iPhones, iPads, and other _____.
Investors are watching for _____ on how Apple will use artificial intelligence in its devices.
_____ this year, Apple lost its place as the world’s most valuable company to _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think Apple's sales are going down? Are their products getting worse? Are competitors' products getting better?
- What might be the reasons for Chinese brands like Huawei selling more phones?
- Why might some Chinese companies and government agencies be limiting the use of Apple devices?
- Do you think artificial intelligence will play a bigger role in future smartphones? Why or why not?
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