GCC smartphone market grows, shipments surge 11.4% YoY in Q4 2023

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) smartphone market experienced healthy growth in Q4 2023 according to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, with shipments increasing 11.4% year on year (YoY) and 3.7% quarter on quarter (QoQ). This positive trend was evident throughout the year, with shipments for 2023 overall up 4.5% YoY.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the GCC region’s largest markets, performed well and contributed to the growth with consistent annual and quarterly shipment increases. Average selling prices (ASPs) in the region saw a quarterly decline, which was due to increased shipments of popular low-end and ultra-low-end devices.

Samsung maintained its dominance of the GCC smartphone market in Q4 2023, followed by Apple in second place and Xiaomi in third. “Samsung’s growth in Q4 2023 was driven by increased shipments of its entry-level A-series models, while the vendor also maintained its momentum in the premium segment,” says Akash Balachandran, a research manager at IDC. “Apple experienced YoY and QoQ growth in Q4 2023, benefiting from the launch of its iPhone 15 series. Likewise, Xiaomi had a strong quarter, showing both QoQ and YoY gains fueled by the popularity of its A2 and Note series of devices.”

“The GCC markets are under the spotlight for Chinese brands that want to grow their base and increase their market share in the region,” says Ramazan Yavuz, a senior research manager at IDC. “Since the GCC region is a mature market with heavy competition and many brands are focused on shifting their model mix to the premium segment, only marginal growth is expected in smartphone shipments for 2024.”

CT Bureau