Apple losing ground in the global smartphone market

Despite continuing growth in the smartphone market Apple’s market share fell to just 14% this year, the lowest since 2010.

While this year set a new record for smartphone sales with 230 million units shipped, Apple’s sales, while still healthy, are not keeping pace with their competitors in Asia. Additionally, the bulk of Apple’s sales have come from their older model handsets where the affordable prices are attracting consumers, particularly in emerging markets.

The highly anticipated iPhone Light is likely to be Apple’s answer to this problem, but in an interview with Tech Crunch analyst Neil Mawston has suggested that Apple will also need to compete in the phablet market if they are to reassert themselves as a market leader.