Samsung Electronics reported financial results for the fourth quarter and the fiscal year 2021. Samsung does not reveal revenue from the Mobile eXperience (MX) Business that sells devices such as smartphones, tablets and wearables. samsung china

Apart from a few niche models, the world’s largest phone maker basically doesn’t sell phones in the world’s largest phone market – China – anymore. samsung china

Revenue of the Mobile eXperience (MX) Business increased slightly led by sales of premium products such as foldable phones and Device Ecosystem products, while profit declined quarter-on-quarter as marketing expenses increased.

Samsung’s MX and Networks businesses posted KRW 28.95 trillion in consolidated revenue and KRW 2.66 trillion in operating profit for the fourth quarter.

Samsung also does not share the number of smartphones it sold during the quarter.

Samsung China

Samsung’s market share in China is just 0.6%. Apart from a few niche models, the world’s largest phone maker basically doesn’t sell phones in the world’s largest phone market anymore.

The absence of Samsung phones from China is particularly striking not only because it is completely unparalleled as Samsung has consistently been in the top three in every major market except for China for almost a decade now, but also because just a few years ago, the Koreans were the clear leaders in China too with a peak market share of almost 20%. China was Samsung’s market to lose and they lost it quite thoroughly.

The Canalys report said Samsung remained top with nearly 275 million smartphones shipped in 2021, maintaining 20 percent market share globally. Samsung shipped 70.5 million smartphones during the fourth quarter.

“Samsung was hit hard by supply and production issues in the year, and its key volume driver, the Galaxy A-series, saw shortages across the world. Samsung focused on driving profitability, especially through its high-end portfolio,”

Canalys Research Analyst Le Xuan Chiew said.

The Galaxy S and Z families have been critical to offset its falling volume share against Chinese vendors in the global market. With an ASP of over $1500, Samsung’s foldable smartphone portfolio has so far met expectations of eight million shipments in a year, tripling the shipments from a small base. Samsung finished 2021 with incredibly healthy earnings.

In China, Samsung did not feature in the smartphone market share chart prepared by Canalys. Apple, Oppo, Honor, Vivo, Xiaomi, and Huawei were the smartphone market leaders in China during the fourth quarter.

The IDC report said Samsung shipped 68.9 million smartphones for a 19 percent share in Q4 2021 and 272 million units for a 20.1 percent share in 2021.

The Strategy Analytics report said Samsung shipped 69 million smartphones, up +12 percent, for 19 percent market share in Q4 2021. Samsung had a good quarter, led by its innovative Flip and Fold 5G models.

Samsung grew faster than all its major rivals. Samsung ramped up volumes in North and South America amid the withdrawal of LG, however, the competition in Asia remained fierce. Samsung maintained first place for the full year 2021, with 20 percent global smartphone market share. samsung china