Top Phone Companies of 2020

In 2019, over 1.52 billion mobile phone units were sold, and this figure is set to rise to 1.57 billion in 2020.

Considering the rising demand for smartphones every year, the top phone companies continue the battle for market share. Competition is tough, and those with lackluster innovation get cast aside and left behind.

Just take Nokia as an example. It was the largest mobile company in the world, but it almost faded into obscurity until its recent resurgence. It’s nowhere near its former glory, though. Today, Nokia just barely makes it to the list of the top 10 mobile phone producers.

But enough about history. Let’s take a look at the top phone companies in 2020.

Samsung

Samsung and Apple continue to battle it out at the top, but the former’s vast range of smartphones and prices have put it ahead of the competition in terms of sales and market share. In September 2020, Samsung had a market share of 30.57% and is currently the market leader.

Samsung completely revamped its entry-level and mid-tier smartphone lineup in 2019 to combat the oncoming competition from both Huawei and Apple. This new product lineup included the Samsung A51, which is currently the highest-selling android phone in 2020, with 11.4 million sales in the first six months.

Samsung also launched the Galaxy Z Flip after the previous Galaxy Fold to further cement its foothold in the growing smart foldables market. This is still a very new segment with low sales but is predicted to grow rapidly in the coming years. Samsung wants to get ahead of the competition and establish itself in this market.

The recent focus in the smartphone market has been on the camera quality. Most top phone companies have ramped up their camera upgrades, and Samsung is no different. We see this with the new Galaxy S20 Ultra that features one of the best smartphone cameras in 2020.

Apple

Though they may not have a market share as big as Samsung, it by no means plays second fiddle in the smartphone market. The Apple brand is rated by many experts as the strongest and most recognizable on the planet.

Even though Samsung sells more total units of phones, there is no one mobile device on the planet that can currently beat the sales figures of the iPhone 11. In just the first 6 months of 2020, Apple sold 37.7 million units of the new iPhone 11.

After years of carrying on its tradition of high-end and premium-priced phones, Apple decided to alter its approach for the iPhone 11 in 2019. Instead of launching the base version at $999 like previous models (iPhone X, iPhone 8, etc.), the new iPhone 11 cost consumers only $699.

This change in tactic has been in response to the ever-increasing competition from other emerging top phone companies like Huawei, Xiaomi, and VIVO, who are growing at blazing speed.

The new iPhones are packed with the A13 Bionic chip that is the most powerful piece of hardware available on phones today. Following this new strategy of lower-priced phones, Apple recently launched the iPhone SE at a low price of $399.

That’s not to say that they still don’t have their premium options. The iPhone 11 Pro Max is available for $1,099 and is packed with the most high-end technology and features.

Huawei

Huawei is a newcomer on the list of top phone companies in the world. Its rise to success has been so fast that many people still struggle to believe that it takes the number 3 spot. And there honestly isn’t one straight explanation of how Huawei shot to the top in the space of just a decade.

Backing by the Chinese government, state protection in China from foreign companies, and access to an exclusive market are all factors that have helped make Huawei what it is today.

But no one can doubt the technological prowess that drives the company forward. It’s currently a global leader in driving forward the revolutionary 5G technology, with data speeds that dwarf current networks. Their goal is to create a 5G infrastructure that will match with the launch of their 5G compatible phones and create a complete ecosystem for them to thrive.

The current Huawei smartphone lineup is packed with feature-filled phones that provide some of the best value for money in the industry. Huawei is best known for its mid-range and affordable array of phones.

Recently, a ban on Huawei from the US has started to pose some difficulties. The new law does not allow Huawei to use any components or technology of US origin anymore. This means that new Huawei phones do not have access to things like the Google Store. However, the company is looking to quickly adapt its UI to this new change, and the growth does not seem to be slowing down at all.

Honorable Mention

Companies like Xiaomi are beginning to rapidly catch up with eye-catching specifications in their phones and affordable prices. Xiaomi specifically uses lean strategies to support its rapid growth. Rather than having physical stores, Xiaomi sells through online channels to cut out the costs of running physical outlets.

Other top phone companies like VIVO and OPPO have also risen to fame in recent times— particularly in the Asian market, where many users are looking for budget buys. They focus on things like providing a superior gaming experience, longer battery life, or sturdier phones to differentiate from the top dogs and attract consumers looking for value.

OnePlus, Nokia, LG, and Google are also part of this battle, but aren’t currently troubling the top players. The reality is that almost no one can predict the future in such a fast-paced and competitive industry.

All that’s known is that there is only one rule for success: innovation.