According to the latest research from Counterpoint, global smartphone demand slowed down slightly sequentially but was up a healthy 51% annually in February. While the demand across mature markets such as Japan, Korea and US slowed down further to pre-holiday season levels, in emerging markets such as China, Nigeria and India demand remained robust. Samsung, LG, Huawei and Xiaomi were the biggest gainers while Apple, Lenovo and ZTE lost some steam in the global smartphone market.

Counterpoint’s Research Director, Tom Kang, notes, “Samsung is making a strong comeback after a dip in December when iPhone holiday season mania took hold. The Korean vendor has registered an uptick in global smartphone market share during February 2014. Samsung reached a record high in monthly smartphone sales in China -- jumping back to 17% share from 14% smartphone sales market share in December 2013. The Galaxy Note 3 remains one of the main growth drivers taking the onus from the Galaxy S4. The Galaxy Note 3’s success also benefits Samsung’s long-tail of entry- to mid- price Galaxy-branded smartphones.” 

(read more in the attached press release)