The total number of smartphone shipments in Europe fell significantly in May 2022, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine being one of the main factors behind it, according to a recent report by researchers at Canalys†
Despite that downward trend, Apple has managed to actually grow in the period, shipping 8.9 million iPhones and surpassing Xiaomi in second place. Samsung remained the most prolific smartphone seller in Europe, but it also shipped fewer Galaxy phones, totaling 14.6 million, or down 1.5 million from the same period last year.
Total smartphone shipments in Europe fell to 41.7 million in May, from 46.4 million in the same month last year.
And while this is troubling news for the industry, we can see how a strong lineup like the iPhone 13 still managed to secure solid shipments for Apple.
“Most of the decline in Europe was due to the hard blows from Russia and Ukraine. Shipments in the countries decreased by 31% and 51% respectively compared to the first quarter of 2021,” said Canalys Research Analyst Runar Bjørhovde. “Shipments in the rest of Europe fell just 3.5% year over year, showing that demand remains intact. But the ongoing war has pushed inflation to record levels and consumer confidence is falling. The real test for the smartphone market is coming. in the next two quarters, when the economic impact of the war really starts to be felt.”
Of course, this is just the factual side of the story. With millions of people displaced by the Russian aggression in Ukraine and thousands killed, it is the human cost of the conflict that hurts the most. Remember that if you have the chance, it is always a good idea to help those who have suffered from this war and make peace come sooner.
