The Marketing Minute: Marketing With Layers
The Right Approach: Electro-Tek—A Williams Family Legacy, Part 1
It’s Only Common Sense: If You’re Not Differentiated, You’re Dead
GCC Smartphone Market Suffers Declines as Demand Continues to Weaken
June 21, 2022 | IDCEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Newly released data from IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker shows that shipments of mobile phones to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region declined 0.8% quarter on quarter (QoQ) in Q1 2022 to total 6.10 million units. Smartphone shipments were up 0.4% QoQ to 5.47 million units, while feature phone shipments decline 9.8% over the same period to 0.63 million units. In terms of value, the GCC smartphone market was worth $2.09 billion in Q4 2021, a decrease of 4.5% QoQ, while the feature phone market totaled $11.16 million, down 25.9%.
Samsung and Xiaomi channels reported improved supply across the GCC for the quarter. Samsung saw its most significant growth in the low ($100<$200) and premium ($800+) ends of the market, while Xiaomi saw growth in the midrange to high-end category ($200<$600). Apple faced shortages stemming from delayed shipments, which impeded the vendor's overall unit and value growth during the quarter.
Smartphone shipments to Saudi Arabia declined 4.9% QoQ in Q1 2022, although the Kingdom still accounted for 53.3% of all smartphone shipments to the GCC. The UAE, the region's second-largest market, saw shipments increase 11.2% QoQ for 24.9% share.
"Q1 2022 saw a drop in shipments to Saudi Arabia with partners reporting excess inventory in the channel and lagging demand," says Akash Balachandran, a senior analyst at IDC. "However, the 'Other GCC' countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar) saw a mild pickup after having experienced constrained supply in previous quarters. The UAE's smartphone growth stemmed mainly from an improved supply of low-end and premium Samsung devices, as well as from Xiaomi's concerted focus on promoting its midrange devices."
Samsung led the GCC smartphone market in terms of shipments in Q1 2022 with 47.5% share. The vendor posted 6.9% QoQ growth in shipments as supply improved, especially for its S-series devices. Second-placed Apple, with 15.4% share, saw shipments decline 18.2% QoQ, with channel partners reporting supply constraints and delays in shipments. Rounding out the top three, Xiaomi accounted for 14.9% of the GCC smartphone market in Q1 2022, with its expanding portfolio of midrange to high-end devices driving a 9.3% QoQ increase in shipments to the region.
The GCC smartphone market is forecast to decline 4.8% QoQ in Q2 2022 due to rising inflation, declining consumer demand, and growing inventory in the channel. Travel and tourism will continue to increase but will not be sufficient to improve the quarter.
"5G shipments to the GCC in Q1 2022 were down 3.4% QoQ and accounted for 35.9% of overall smartphone shipments," says Ramazan Yavuz, a senior research manager at IDC. "This was due to higher shipments of entry-level 4G Android devices in conjunction with shortages of iOS 5G devices. While ups and downs are expected in the short term, 5G penetration is forecast to continue at its previous rapid pace over the medium and long term and will make up 80.6% of total GCC smartphone shipments in 2026."
Share on:
Testimonial
"Your magazines are a great platform for people to exchange knowledge. Thank you for the work that you do."
Simon Khesin - Schmoll MaschinenSuggested Items
The Marketing Minute: Marketing With Layers
10/15/2025 | Brittany Martin -- Column: The Marketing MinuteMarketing to a technical audience is like crafting a multilayer board: Each layer serves a purpose, from the surface story to the buried detail that keeps everything connected. At I-Connect007, we’ve learned that the best marketing campaigns aren’t built linearly; they’re layered. A campaign might start with a highly technical resource, such as an in-depth article, a white paper, or a podcast featuring an engineer delving into the details of a process. That’s the foundation, the substance that earns credibility.
ICT Symposium Review: Sustainability and the Circular Economy
10/09/2025 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007It was pleasant autumnal weather as we made our way once again to Meriden, the nominal centre of England, for the 2025 Annual Symposium of the Institute of Circuit Technology. Delegates were welcomed by technical director Emma Hudson who introduced and moderated a skilfully coordinated programme, focused on the highly relevant theme of sustainability.
Circular Packaging Market to Reach $98.0 Billion by 2035
10/08/2025 | Fact.MRThe market's journey from USD 45.8 billion in 2025 to USD 98.0 billion by 2035 represents substantial growth, the market will rise at a CAGR of 7.9% demonstrating the accelerating adoption of sustainable packaging systems and circular economy solutions across food & beverage, personal care, and e-commerce sectors.
It’s Only Common Sense: Stop Whining About the Market—Outwork It
10/06/2025 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseWhenever the market hiccups or the industry cycle dips, I hear the same tired chorus: “The market is down. Customers aren’t buying. What can we do? We just have to wait it out.” Nonsense. If you think that by showing up, opening your doors, and waiting for the economy to smile kindly upon you, that success will follow, you are in the wrong business. Worse yet, you’re living in the wrong mindset. Most people don’t want to hear the truth that winners find business in down cycles. Losers blame the economy.
Schweizer Ends Staff Restructuring Measures and Short-Time Working at the Schramberg Site
10/01/2025 | Schweizer Electronic AGSchweizer Electronic AG has implemented comprehensive measures to adjust its cost and personnel structure at its Schramberg site due to strong market fluctuations in the automotive and industrial electronics sector. Thanks to the successful restructuring, short-time working can now be ended with immediate effect. A stable order situation is expected for the fourth quarter, with signs of growth momentum returning in 2026.