The global smartphone market offers many brands, but this article highlights the top 10 worth considering. Our rankings are based on the latest quarterly shipment data (October to December 2023) from Omida’s global smartphone report. Additionally, we’ve included popular smartphones from each brand, using insights from 91mobiles.
Apple
Apple dominates the premium smartphone market with its iPhones and strong ecosystem. After a decline in Q3 2023, Apple has bounced back to claim the top spot. The iPhone 15 series introduced several upgrades, including USB-C, Dynamic Island on all models, a more practical design, a Titanium build, AAA game support, and an Action Button on the pro models. In Q4 2023, Apple shipped 78.7 million units, the highest number since Q4 2021.
Best selling Apple smartphones
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 15 Pro
Samsung
Android is the world’s most popular mobile operating system, and Samsung, as a major manufacturer, plays a big role in it. According to Omida’s data, Samsung shipped 53.2 million units in Q4 2023, down from 58.3 million in Q3 2023. Despite this decline, Samsung remains far ahead of competitors like Xiaomi and OPPO. Most Samsung phones, even mid-range and budget models, offer a similar design with good software and hardware features.
Best selling Samsung smartphones
- Samsung Galaxy F54 5G
- Samsung Galaxy M34 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Xiaomi
Xiaomi holds the 3rd spot mainly because of its value-for-money phones in the budget and mid-range segments. However, its premium models are also impressive. For example, the Xiaomi 14 Pro features a Leica-branded 50MP triple rear camera, 120W fast charging, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 120Hz LTPO display, and HyperOS software. In Q4 2023, Xiaomi shipped 41.2 million units, a slight decrease from the previous quarter.
Best-selling Xiaomi smartphones
- Redmi 12 5G
- Redmi Note 13 Pro+
- Redmi K50i
- Xiaomi 14 Pro
- Xiaomi 13 Pro
Transsion
Transsion, a Chinese brand, releases phones under Tecno, Infinix, and Intel. These brands offer competitive budget-friendly phones, with Tecno providing more premium options like the Phantom X2 Pro. In Q4 2023, Transsion saw an 11.1% increase in shipments, reaching 30.1 million units. This boost allowed the company to surpass OPPO and secure fourth place in global smartphone shipments.
Best-selling Tecno smartphones
- Tecno Pova 5 Pro
- Tecno Camon 20 Pro
- Tecno Phantom X2 Pro
Best-selling Infinix smartphones
- Infinix GT 10 Pro
- Infinix Zero 30
OPPO (includes OnePlus)
OPPO and OnePlus shipped 24.4 million units in Q4 2023, marking a 2.8% increase compared to the previous year. OPPO is a major player in offline markets like India and offers strong flagship models such as the Find X5 series, which features Hasselblad cameras, a custom imaging NPU, 80W charging, and a 1 billion-color display. The OPPO Find N3 and Find N3 Flip are notable for their nearly crease-free hinges, slim designs, high-end cameras, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, and custom software features.
OnePlus
Best-selling OPPO smartphones
- OPPO Find X5 Pro
- OPPO Find N3
- OPPO Find N3 Flip
- OPPO Reno 10 5G
- OPPO A79
- OPPO F21 Pro
OPPO and OnePlus shipped 24.4 million units in Q4 2023, a 2.8% increase from the previous year. OPPO remains a strong presence in offline markets like India. It offers impressive flagship models, such as the Find X5 series, featuring Hasselblad cameras, a custom imaging NPU, 80W charging, and a 1 billion-color display. The OPPO Find N3 and Find N3 Flip also stand out with their nearly crease-free hinges, slim designs, high-end cameras, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, and unique software features.
Best selling OnePlus smartphones
- OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- OnePlus 11R
Vivo
Vivo offers impressive options in the higher-end market, like the X90 series, which is known for its advanced specs, excellent camera quality, and stylish design. Vivo also caters to the budget-friendly segments, with phones generally praised for their camera capabilities and well-rounded features. In Q4 2023, Vivo recorded 24 million shipments.
Best-selling Vivo smartphones
- Vivo X90 Pro
- Vivo T2 Pro
- Vivo V29 Pro
- Vivo Y200 5G
- Vivo Y17s
Honor
Honor, previously a Huawei subsidiary, now operates as an independent brand. Its phones come with Google Mobile Services and can include Qualcomm chips. In India, the brand operates as HTech, led by Madhav Sheth, the former CEO of Realme India. The Honor 90 gained attention for its quad-curved AMOLED display, 200MP main camera, 30-day return policy, and more. Globally, Honor recorded 15 million unit shipments in Q4 2023.
Best-selling Honor smartphones
- Honor 90
- Honor X50i Plus
- Honor 100 Pro
- Honor V Purse
- Honor Magic V2
Motorola
Motorola, a veteran brand in the smartphone market, continues to release solid phones across various price ranges. Known for its near-stock Android experience and value-for-money devices, Motorola now offers eye-catching foldable phones and high-performance flagship models. In the recent quarter, the company achieved 12.5 million shipments.
Best-selling Motorola smartphones
- Motorola Edge 40
- Moto G54
- Moto G84
- Moto G14
- Moto Razr 2023
Huawei
Once a brand that seemed ready to surpass Samsung in the Android market, it faced significant challenges after being hit by US sanctions. These sanctions disrupted its supply of processors and software, causing a loss of momentum. However, the brand managed to recover and continue releasing high-end phones. In Q4 2023, it achieved 12.3 million shipments.
Best-selling Huawei smartphones
- Huawei Mate 60 Pro
- Huawei Mate X3
- Huawei P60 Pro
- Huawei Nova 10 Pro
- Huawei P50 Pocket
Realme
Realme didn’t release many new models, but it saw success with a few standout phones, like the Realme 11 Pro, known for its unique design. Continuing its focus on design and camera-centric smartphones, Realme recently launched the Realme 12 Pro series, featuring a distinctive vegan leather design, periscope cameras, and curved AMOLED panels. In Q4 2023, Realme achieved 12.1 million shipments, marking a 6.6% increase from Q3 2023.
Best selling Realme smartphones
- Realme 11 Pro
- Realme Narzo 60
- Realme C55
- Realme C53
- Realme Narzo N53
Top 10 best smartphone brands in the world (Q4 2024)
Mobile brands | Quarterly shipments in millions |
Apple | 78.7 |
Samsung | 53.2 |
Xiaomi | 41.2 |
Transsion | 30.1 |
OPPO | 24.4 |
Vivo | 24 |
Honor | 16 |
Motorola | 12.5 |
Huawei | 12.3 |
Realme | 12.1 |
Factors to consider when choosing a mobile brand
Quality of the product
When buying a product, your main focus should be on whether it meets your needs and offers the best value for your money. Sometimes, a product might be good, but the brand or one you usually prefer may not be well-known. In such cases, you’ll need to decide if the product is worth taking a chance on.
Warranty and customer support
Check if the product you’re buying comes with a warranty. Reputable brands usually offer a standard warranty that includes coverage for a certain period and specific damages. Even if the warranty has expired, it’s important to know if the brand provides repair services and replacement parts.
Ecosystem integration and accessory support
After purchasing a phone, you might consider buying accessories and other products like smartwatches or earphones from the same brand. A reputable brand usually offers a range of accessories, such as cases and chargers, directly through its store. These secondary products are often designed to work seamlessly with the phone, offering enhanced features and convenience. It’s also important to consider the warranty and after-sales support for these accessories and secondary devices.
Brand image and lifestyle
These factors help a brand become well-regarded. Once a brand establishes itself, owning its products often carries aspirational value. You might want to buy a particular brand’s product to showcase it to others. Additionally, your lifestyle might influence your choice, making a specific brand’s phone more appealing to you.
Resale value
Larger brands often have higher perceived value, which means their products can fetch a better price when resold. When you sell a phone from a well-known brand, you’ll likely get more than a lesser-known or lower-quality brand. Therefore, it’s also important to consider the resale value of the brand’s phone.
Conclusion
In 2024, the global smartphone market is dominated by brands that excel in innovation, design, and performance. These top 10 brands have distinguished themselves through their cutting-edge technology, user-friendly features, and strong market presence. Whether you’re looking for premium devices, value-for-money options, or advanced features, these brands offer something for everyone. As you consider your next smartphone purchase, keep these leading brands in mind to ensure you choose a device that meets your needs and delivers exceptional quality.
FAQs
Q1: What criteria were used to rank the top mobile brands?
Ans: The top brands were ranked based on innovation, market share, product quality, user satisfaction, and recent shipment data.
Q2: Which brand is currently leading the smartphone market?
Ans: Apple leads the smartphone market in 2024, thanks to its strong performance and significant advancements with the iPhone 15 series.
Q3: How do Samsung and Xiaomi compare in terms of shipments?
Ans: with 53.2 million units shipped in Q4 2023, Samsung remains a major player. Xiaomi follows with 41.2 million units and is known for its value-for-money and high-performance phones.
Q4: What makes Transsion a notable brand in 2024?
Ans: Transsion, through its brands Tecno, Infinix, and Itel, offers budget-friendly phones with good features. Its strong shipment growth in Q4 2023 helped it surpass OPPO.
Q5: Why is OPPO considered a significant brand?
Ans: OPPO, known for its strong offline presence in markets like India, offers high-end models like the Find X5 series and innovative foldables like the Find N3.
Q6: What are the standout features of the Xiaomi 14 Pro?
Ans: The Xiaomi 14 Pro boasts a Leica-branded 50MP triple camera, 120W fast charging, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and a 120Hz LTPO display.
Q7: How does Honor differentiate itself in the market?
Ans: Honor, now independent, offers phones with Google Mobile Services and Qualcomm chips, including notable models like the Honor 90, which features a quad-curved AMOLED display and a 200MP camera.
Q8: What is Motorola’s current market position?
Ans: Motorola remains competitive by offering phones across various price ranges, including high-end models like their foldable phones. In Q4 2023, Motorola shipped 12.5 million units.
Q9: Why should resale value be considered when buying a phone?
Ans: Larger brands often have higher resale values. Phones from well-known brands tend to fetch better prices on the second-hand market than those from lesser-known brands.
Q10: What is Realme’s approach to smartphone design and features?
Ans: Realme focuses on design and camera capabilities, with recent models like the Realme 12 Pro series offering distinctive designs and advanced camera features.