CK Hutchison Unit Launches Arbitration Against Panama Over Port Concessions Ruling 
SpaceX Updates Starlink Privacy Policy to Allow AI Training as xAI Merger Talks and IPO Loom 
Apple Earnings Beat Expectations as iPhone Sales Surge to Four-Year High 
Sam Altman Reaffirms OpenAI’s Long-Term Commitment to NVIDIA Amid Chip Report 
AMD Shares Slide Despite Earnings Beat as Cautious Revenue Outlook Weighs on Stock 
Boeing Signals Progress on Delayed 777X Program With Planned April First Flight 
SpaceX Seeks FCC Approval for Massive Solar-Powered Satellite Network to Support AI Data Centers 
Palantir Stock Jumps After Strong Q4 Earnings Beat and Upbeat 2026 Revenue Forecast 
Oracle Plans $45–$50 Billion Funding Push in 2026 to Expand Cloud and AI Infrastructure 
Boeing Secures New Labor Contract With Former Spirit AeroSystems Employees 
Nintendo Shares Slide After Earnings Miss Raises Switch 2 Margin Concerns 
US Judge Rejects $2.36B Penalty Bid Against Google in Privacy Data Case 
NRW Holdings Shares Surge After Securing Major Rio Tinto Contract and New Project Wins 
Denso Cuts Profit Forecast Amid U.S. Tariffs and Rising Costs 
Tesla Launches New Model Y Variant in the US Starting at $41,990 
Smartphone shipments for Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Samsung (KS:005930) declined in Q4 as competition from Chinese companies like Xiaomi (OTC:XIACF) intensified, according to preliminary data from IDC. Despite a rebound in the global smartphone market after two years of decline, Apple’s shipments fell 4.1% to 76.9 million units, and Samsung's dipped 2.7% to 51.7 million units.
Chinese smartphone makers, including Xiaomi, Oppo, and Honor, captured a record 56% of the global market in the quarter, driven by their success in low-end and mid-range devices. Xiaomi led the growth, with shipments surging 15.4% in 2024, while Apple and Samsung saw annual declines of 0.9% and 1.4%, respectively.
Apple held an 18.7% market share globally in 2024, slightly ahead of Samsung at 18%. Xiaomi followed with a 13.6% share, reflecting its aggressive expansion in Europe and Africa. The surge in Chinese brands highlights their ability to cater to emerging markets while leveraging strong domestic demand.
IDC noted decreased consumer interest in foldable smartphones, despite heavy promotions. As a result, manufacturers are reallocating research and design budgets away from foldables. "While growth in 2025 looks promising, uncertainty around potential U.S. tariffs adds risk," said IDC's Nabila Popal.
The global smartphone market continues to evolve, with Chinese companies gaining dominance and traditional leaders like Apple and Samsung facing mounting pressure.
