African Smartphone Market Reaches 55.8 Million Units Shipments in Third Quarter of 2019

The International Data Corporation’s (IDC) Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker reveals the African Smartphone Market reached 55.8 million units in the third quarter (Q3) of 2019. This recent growth is higher than the total shipments for the second quarter which totaled 52.2 million units.

IDC also revealed that feature phones contributed 59.4% while smartphones accounted for 40.6% of the shipment. This recent market reach indicates a 4.0% quarter on quarter increase. Although smartphone markers are cashing out big in the continent, the recent IDC report also indicates they are still losing the market to feature phones.

The African Smartphone Market’s recent growth was determined by the performance of three of Africa’s biggest phone markets. These markets include; Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt. The growth was driven by the penetration of newer and affordable smartphone models in these markets.

According to the report, Transsion the owners of TECNO, Infinix and Itel brand, topped the African smartphone and feature phone market. The Chinese-based phone maker has been sitting on the African phone market throne since 2017 due to its low-end devices.

Transsion owns a smartphone market share of 36.2%, Samsung owns 23.9% while Huawei owns 11.4%. Samsung’s growth was determined by the launch of its affordable A-series mid-range smartphones. Transsion also remained king in the feature phone market with a share of 64%. Nokia seconds them with 10% of the market share.

Transsion leads the African smartphone market by units, while Samsung leads by value with 33.2%. Transsion follows in value with 22.4% while Huawei takes the third share with 15.6%.