By Counterpoint Research’s measure of the global market share in premium smartphone market share, Apple earned 62 percent in the first quarter of 2022. In the premium market, which consists of smartphones costing $400 and above, Apple earned its highest share in the first quarter since 2017, while offering the four most popular premium smartphone models.

Overall, the premium market declined 8 percent year over year since the first quarter of 2021, while the overall smartphone market fell 10 percent.

Apple led with 62 percent of the premium market, followed by 16 percent for Samsung, 5 percent for Oppo, 4 percent for Xiaomi, and 3 percent for Vivo. In the same period the year before, Apple had 57 percent, followed by Samsung with 18 percent and 9 percent for Huawei.

As for individual phones, the iPhone 13 led with 23 percent, followed by the iPhone 13 Pro Max with 13 percent, the iPhone 13 Pro with 9 percent, and the iPhone 12 with 8 percent. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G was the top non-Apple phone, with 3 percent.

“The volume growth in the ultra-premium segment was driven by Apple and Samsung. The iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 13 Pro together captured over two-thirds of sales volume within the ultra-premium price segment,” the Counterpoint report said.

“This was driven by strong volume growth in the US, China, and Western Europe. In China, the sales in the >US$1000 price segment grew 176% YoY in Q1 2022. The segment alone captured over one-fifth of China’s smartphone market value during the quarter. Apple emerged as the biggest winner from Huawei’s decline in the premium market. The premium market in China still holds potential, and will be driven by upgrades, especially by users from Huawei’s large installed base.”

This report is not to be confused with another, published earlier this week, in which Counterpoint provided its monthly analysis of global smartphone market share. That list, also, had Apple taking the top spots.

“The month’s best-sellers list saw an increase in the number of 5G-enabled smartphones, rising to a new high of seven models and up from four in the same month last year. The 5G smartphones on the list represent a third of the total 5G smartphone sales. 5G capability has become a standard offering in flagships and its presence is increasing in lower price bands as well,” Counterpoint said in its release Wednesday.

“Apple continues to do well with three of its latest iPhone 13 models capturing the top three spots. Unlike its last generation, the non-Pro iPhone 13 model has maintained a lead every month since launch and has done better than the Pro variants in terms of sales in most large markets.”

Stephen Silver, a technology writer for The National Interest, is a journalist, essayist and film critic, who is also a contributor to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philly Voice, Philadelphia Weekly, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Living Life Fearless, Backstage magazine, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @StephenSilver.

Image: Reuters.