Market research firm IDC revealed on Thursday, April 5, 2018 the top 5 smartphone brands in the Philippines by unit shipments in 2017.

On top of the list is local smartphone brand Cherry Mobile with 23% market share. IDC cited low prices and a nationwide presence as key factors for the company’s success.

 

15 Million Smartphones

The total smartphone units shipped by all brands in the Philippines in 2017 is 15 million. Hence, we can incur that Cherry Mobile shipped 3.45 million units!

In second place is Samsung with 17% market share or 2.55 million units. Fun fact, it’s not the flagship Galaxy S or Note units that bring in the cash for Samsung in the Philippines. Instead, the affordable Galaxy J series are its best sellers.

China’s OPPO and Vivo takes the third and fourth place with 12% and 8% market shares respectively. The focus on selfies, excessive marketing pushes, celebrity endorsements and mobile game partnerships catapulted these two into household names in the country.

Taiwanese company ASUS got the fifth place with its Zenfone series.

 

Other Brands

Other smartphone brands make up a substantial 35% market share. This is a testament to the competitive and crowded the Philippine smartphone market.

I’m a bit surprised that Cloudfone is no longer in the top 5 brands since they made it to top four in IDC’s Q2 2017 report. They also had interesting new smartphones under the Next Infinity series.

Huawei isn’t on the top 5 too but IDC noted its strong growth thanks to a focus on midrange smartphones with selfie capabilities such as the Nova 2i.

 

Top 5 Smartphone Brands in the Philippines in 2017

  1. Cherry Mobile – 23%
  2. Samsung – 17%
  3. OPPO – 12%
  4. Vivo – 8%
  5. ASUS – 5 %
  6. Others – 35%

 

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