Apple Stock: Premium Smartphone Dominance Continues (NASDAQ:AAPL)

In our earlier evaluation, we decided that Apple Inc’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) success within the Chinese language market in 2022 was attributable to its aggressive pricing technique, which gave it an edge over Chinese language rivals due to stronger revenue margins. We imagine this allowed Apple to chop costs greater than rivals, boosting its competitiveness. Moreover, we imagine Apple’s dominance within the premium smartphone sector, which proved extra resilient than the general market, supported its progress and market management. When evaluating Apple to native Chinese language smartphone rivals, we recognized related strengths, together with a big provide chain in China, authorities incentives, localization efforts, and minimal affect from commerce tensions.

Primarily based on the smartphone market share chart under, the corporate had maintained its place because the second largest smartphone maker by shipments market share in Q2 2023 at 16%, solely behind market chief Samsung. However, Apple dominated the premium smartphone market section of above $600 in response to Counterpoint Research accounting for 3 quarters of the market share, which is 4.7x increased than its market share of the general market.

On this evaluation, we decided whether or not the premium smartphone market may proceed to drive Apple’s progress. Firstly, we derived a breakdown of the worldwide smartphone market by geographic area and projected the expansion based mostly on inhabitants and penetration charges. Furthermore, we examined the premium smartphone market penetration of every area and forecasted its progress based mostly on earnings progress. Lastly, we examined Apple’s aggressive positioning within the premium smartphone market.

World Smartphone Market Outlook

On this part, we first examined the smartphone market progress when it comes to shipments by IDC and derived the breakdown of the smartphone market from and consolidated it based mostly on Apple’s geographic section breakdown. In response to its annual report, its income by geographical location consists of the Americas, Europe (encompassing Europe, India, the Center East, and Africa), Larger China, Japan, and the Remainder of Asia Pacific area.

Smartphone Shipments (‘mln’)	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	4-year Common
Americas	269.02	258.77	241.76	260.02	235.79
Progress %		-3.8%	-6.6%	7.6%	-9.3%	-3.04%
Europe (EMEAI)	499.29	515.23	501.76	535.89	476.91
Progress %		3.2%	-2.6%	6.8%	-11.0%	-0.91%
Larger China	398.30	366.60	325.70	329.50	285.80
Progress %		-8.0%	-11.2%	1.2%	-13.3%	-7.80%
Japan	30.12	28.05	26.00	27.37	25.55
Progress %		-6.9%	-7.3%	5.3%	-6.7%	-3.89%
Remainder of Asia Pacific	207.77	202.46	197.98	199.52	178.25
Progress %		-2.6%	-2.2%	0.8%	-10.7%	-3.66%
Whole	1,405	1,371	1,293	1,352	1,202
Progress %		-2.4%	-5.7%	4.6%	-11.1%	-3.65%

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Supply: Gartner, IDC, Khaveen Investments

Primarily based on the chart above, the entire world smartphone market when it comes to shipments has had a mean progress price of 6.4% up to now 10 years and has been slowing down since 2011. The market peaked in 2016 and declined since then till 2021 with a notable restoration earlier than contracting additional in 2022. Prior to now 5 years, the market grew at a mean of -3.7% which is a stark distinction to the prior 5-year common of 16.5%. In our earlier evaluation, we highlighted the smartphone market going through growing common product lifespans as shoppers had been changing into much less concerned with upgrading to new telephones attributable to a scarcity of compelling new options. Moreover, one other issue is the growing size of software program updates supplied by smartphone makers.

From the desk, we consolidated the worldwide smartphone market shipments by Apple’s geographic breakdown based mostly on information from Gartner and IDC up to now 5 years. As seen within the desk, the Europe section is the most important in 2022 accounting for 39.6% of the worldwide smartphone shipments and is adopted by Larger China with 23.8% of the entire market. Primarily based on the typical progress price up to now 4 years, all areas had unfavourable progress with Larger China having the very best common decline of -7.8% and having constantly underperformed the market progress the entire previous years within the desk. In distinction, the Europe section carried out the very best total with a flattish common decline of -0.9%.

Projections

Subsequent, we derived our personal projections of the smartphone market by shipments based mostly on Apple’s geographic breakdown under. We projected the smartphone market of every respective area based mostly on the inhabitants, penetration price, and alternative price as we beforehand did in our earlier evaluation for the China market. Our smartphone market shipments whole projections are damaged down into 2 components that are the brand new improve in smartphone customers and smartphone alternative gross sales.

To challenge the rise in smartphone customers for every area, we first compiled the entire inhabitants and projections from Our World in Data. Then, we derived an estimate of the penetration rate for every respective area based mostly on information from Newzoo and Statista in 2018 and 2022 and calculated a weighted common increment within the penetration weight which is front-loaded. For the Europe, Center East, Africa and India (EMEAI), Americas and Remainder of Asia Pacific segments, we based mostly their smartphone penetration charges on chosen nations inside these areas as a proxy.

Moreover, for the alternative price, we calculated the smartphone alternative unit gross sales based mostly on the distinction between the rise in smartphone customers by 12 months and the entire smartphone shipments for every area. The alternative price is calculated as a % of the entire smartphone shipments for every area. We recognized that the alternative price of the entire most important areas had decreased over the previous 4 years however elevated in 2021 as we imagine that is because of the massive improve of world 5G smartphone share by 20%. Thus, we excluded 2021 in our 3-year common alternative price progress which we assumed to forecast its alternative price.

Lastly, we summed up our estimated improve in smartphone customers and alternative gross sales to acquire the entire smartphone gross sales forecast for every area under.

China

China Smartphone Market Projections (‘mln’)	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023F	2024F	2025F	2026F	2027F	2028F
China Inhabitants	1,410	1,412	1,413	1,412	1,412	1,411	1,409	1,407	1,404	1,401
Progress %	0.3%	0.1%	0.0%	-0.1%	0.0%	-0.1%	-0.1%	-0.2%	-0.2%	-0.2%
Penetration Price	62.6%	66.8%	70.3%	73.6%	76.6%	79.4%	81.8%	84.0%	86.1%	87.9%
Improve	4.5%	4.2%	3.5%	3.3%	3.0%	2.7%	2.5%	2.2%	2.0%	1.8%
Improve Progress Issue		0.94	0.83	0.95	0.91	0.91	0.91	0.91	0.91	0.91
China Smartphone Customers	882.2	943.2	993.1	1,039	1,081	1,120	1,153	1,183	1,209	1,231
Progress	8.1%	6.9%	5.3%	4.7%	4.0%	3.5%	3.0%	2.6%	2.2%	1.9%
Internet Improve	66.2	61.0	49.9	46.3	41.8	38.4	33.4	29.6	26.1	22.8
Substitute	300.4	264.7	279.6	239.5	235.3	230.1	223.8	216.9	209.3	201.5
Substitute Price	34.1%	28.1%	28.2%	23.0%	21.8%	20.6%	19.4%	18.3%	17.3%	16.4%
Progress %		-6.0%	0.1%	-5.1%	-5.5%	-5.5%	-5.5%	-5.5%	-5.5%	-5.5%
China Smartphone Gross sales	366.6	325.7	329.5	285.8	277.1	268.5	257.3	246.5	235.4	224.3
Progress	-8.0%	-11.2%	1.2%	-13.3%	-3.0%	-3.1%	-4.2%	-4.2%	-4.5%	-4.7%

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Supply: Our World in Information, Gartner, IDC, Statista, Khaveen Investments

For China, this area has the third largest inhabitants behind Europe (EMEAI) and the Remainder of Asia Pacific. Nevertheless, the inhabitants is projected to say no in response to the IMF because of the declining fertility price in China and authorities coverage that managed inhabitants progress as highlighted in our earlier evaluation. Its penetration price can also be the second highest among the many areas behind Japan with the rise of its penetration price declining by annually, thus we forecasted the penetration price to succeed in 88% by 2027 at a declining price of improve of 0.91x based mostly on its 3-year common. In whole, we forecasted the area’s 5-year ahead common progress at -4%.

Americas

Americas Smartphone Projections (‘mln’)	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023F	2024F	2025F	2026F	2027F
Inhabitants	1,018.8	1,025.8	1,031.4	1,037.1	1,043.9	1,051.0	1,058.0	1,064.9	1,071.6
Progress %	0.8%	0.7%	0.5%	0.6%	0.7%	0.7%	0.7%	0.6%	0.6%
Penetration Price	64.7%	68.9%	71.4%	73.0%	74.2%	75.0%	75.6%	76.0%	76.3%
Improve	5.0%	4.2%	2.5%	1.7%	1.2%	0.8%	0.6%	0.4%	0.3%
Improve Progress Issue		0.83	0.60	0.67	0.70	0.70	0.70	0.70	0.70
Smartphone Customers	659.30	706.51	736.12	757.51	775	788	800	809	817
Progress	9.2%	7.2%	4.2%	2.9%	2.3%	1.8%	1.4%	1.2%	1.0%
Internet Improve	55.8	47.2	29.6	21.4	17.1	13.9	11.3	9.5	8.1
Substitute	203.0	194.6	230.4	214.4	212.4	209.4	205.8	201.7	197.4
Substitute Price	30.8%	27.5%	31.3%	28.3%	27.4%	26.6%	25.7%	24.9%	24.2%
Progress %		-3.2%	3.8%	-3.0%	-3.1%	-3.1%	-3.1%	-3.1%	-3.1%
Smartphone Gross sales	258.77	241.76	260.02	235.79	229.5	223.3	217.1	211.2	205.5
Progress	-3.8%	-6.6%	7.6%	-9.3%	-2.7%	-2.7%	-2.8%	-2.7%	-2.7%

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Supply: Our World in Information, Gartner, IDC, Khaveen Investments

For the Americas, this area has the third largest inhabitants behind Europe (‘EMEAI’) and China, and its inhabitants progress is projected to develop by a 5-year common of 0.7%. Its penetration price can also be the third highest among the many areas behind Japan and China with the rise of its penetration price declining by annually, thus we forecasted the penetration price to succeed in 76% by 2027 at a declining price of improve of 0.7x based mostly on its 3-year common. In whole, we forecasted the area’s 5-year ahead common progress at -2.7%.

Europe (EMEAI) Smartphone Projections (‘mln’)	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023F	2024F	2025F	2026F	2027F
Inhabitants	3,716	3,764	3,810	3,867	3,914	3,961	4,018	4,075	4,121
Progress %	1.4%	1.3%	1.2%	1.5%	1.2%	1.2%	1.4%	1.4%	1.1%
Penetration Price	35.6%	42.0%	45.8%	48.4%	50.2%	51.4%	52.3%	52.9%	53.4%
Improve	7.7%	6.4%	3.8%	2.6%	1.8%	1.3%	0.9%	0.6%	0.4%
Improve Progress Issue		0.83	0.60	0.67	0.70	0.70	0.70	0.70	0.70
Smartphone Customers	1,324	1,581	1,747	1,871	1,964	2,037	2,102	2,156	2,199
Progress	29.1%	19.4%	10.5%	7.1%	4.9%	3.7%	3.2%	2.6%	2.0%
Internet Improve	298.5	257.2	165.5	124.6	92.6	73.3	64.6	54.7	42.3
Substitute	216.7	244.6	370.4	352.3	363.7	371.1	376.6	380.1	381.2
Substitute Price	16.4%	15.5%	21.2%	18.8%	18.5%	18.2%	17.9%	17.6%	17.3%
Progress %		-0.9%	5.7%	-2.4%	-1.6%	-1.6%	-1.6%	-1.6%	-1.6%
Smartphone Gross sales	515.23	501.76	535.89	476.91	456.2	444.3	441.1	434.8	423.5
Progress	3.2%	-2.6%	6.8%	-11.0%	-4.3%	-2.6%	-0.7%	-1.4%	-2.6%

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Supply: Our World in Information, Gartner, IDC, Khaveen Investments

For EMEAI, this area has the most important inhabitants because it contains Europe, Center East, Africa and India with a inhabitants progress projection to develop by a 5-year common of 1.3%. Its penetration price is the bottom among the many areas with the rise of its penetration price declining by annually, thus we forecasted the penetration price to succeed in 53.4% by 2027 at a declining price of improve of 0.7x based mostly on its 3-year common. In whole, we forecasted the area’s 5-year ahead common progress at -2.3%.

Japan

Japan Smartphone Projections (‘mln’)	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023F	2024F	2025F	2026F	2027F
Inhabitants	126.6	126.1	125.5	124.3	123.8	123.2	122.5	121.9	121.2
Progress %	-0.2%	-0.3%	-0.5%	-0.9%	-0.4%	-0.5%	-0.5%	-0.5%	-0.5%
Penetration Price	74.5%	78.7%	82.6%	86.2%	89.3%	91.7%	93.5%	94.5%	95.2%
Improve	5.5%	4.2%	3.8%	3.6%	3.1%	2.4%	1.7%	1.1%	0.6%
Improve Progress Issue		0.76	0.91	0.94	0.87	0.78	0.70	0.63	0.57
Smartphone Customers	94	99	104	107	111	113	115	115	115
Progress	7.9%	5.3%	4.3%	3.4%	3.2%	2.2%	1.4%	0.6%	0.1%
Internet Improve	6.9	5.0	4.3	3.5	3.4	2.5	1.5	0.7	0.1
Substitute	21.2	21.0	23.1	22.1	22.4	22.6	22.5	22.4	22.0
Substitute Price	22.5%	21.1%	22.3%	20.6%	20.3%	20.0%	19.7%	19.4%	19.1%
Progress %		-1.3%	1.1%	-1.7%	-1.5%	-1.5%	-1.5%	-1.5%	-1.5%
Smartphone Gross sales	28.05	26.00	27.37	25.55	25.8	25.1	24.1	23.1	22.2
Progress	-6.9%	-7.3%	5.3%	-6.7%	1.0%	-2.9%	-3.9%	-4.2%	-4.0%

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Supply: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Our World in Information, Gartner, IDC, Khaveen Investments

For Japan, this area has the smallest inhabitants with a inhabitants progress projection to develop by a 5-year common of -0.5%. Its penetration price is the very best among the many areas with the rise of its penetration price declining by annually, thus we forecasted the penetration price to succeed in 98% by 2027 at a declining price of improve of 0.87x based mostly on its 3-year common. Furthermore, its alternative price had additionally decreased over the previous 4 years however elevated in 2021 as we imagine that is because of the massive improve of 5G smartphone share by 20%. Thus, we excluded 2021 in our 3-year common alternative price progress which we assumed to forecast its alternative price. In whole, we forecasted the area’s 5-year ahead common progress at -1%.

Remainder of Asia Pacific

Remainder of Asia Smartphone Projections (‘mln’)	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023F	2024F	2025F	2026F	2027F
Inhabitants	1,498	1,510	1,523	1,537	1,550	1,564	1,579	1,605	1,612
Progress %	1.1%	0.8%	0.9%	1.0%	0.8%	0.9%	1.0%	1.6%	0.4%
Penetration Price	35.9%	43.8%	48.6%	51.8%	54.0%	55.5%	56.6%	57.4%	57.9%
Improve	9.5%	7.9%	4.8%	3.2%	2.2%	1.6%	1.1%	0.8%	0.5%
Improve Progress Issue		0.83	0.60	0.67	0.70	0.70	0.70	0.70	0.70
Smartphone Customers	538	661	740	796	837	869	894	921	933
Progress	37.7%	23.0%	11.8%	7.5%	5.2%	3.8%	2.9%	3.0%	1.3%
Internet Improve	147.2	123.9	78.2	55.8	41.1	32.1	25.6	26.8	12.3
Substitute	55.3	74.1	121.3	122.4	128.7	133.6	137.4	141.5	143.3
Substitute Price	10.3%	11.2%	16.4%	15.4%	15.4%	15.4%	15.4%	15.4%	15.4%
Progress %		0.9%	5.2%	-1.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Smartphone Gross sales	202.46	197.98	199.52	178.25	169.8	165.6	163.0	168.3	155.6
Progress	-2.6%	-2.2%	0.8%	-10.7%	-4.8%	-2.4%	-1.6%	3.3%	-7.5%

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Supply: Our World in Information, Gartner, IDC, Statista, Khaveen Investments

For the Remainder of Asia Pacific, this area has the second highest inhabitants with the second highest inhabitants progress projection at a 5-year common of 1%. Its penetration price is the second lowest among the many areas with the rise of its penetration price declining by annually, thus we forecasted the penetration price to succeed in 58% by 2027 at a declining price of improve of 0.7x based mostly on its 3-year common. In whole, we forecasted the area’s 5-year ahead common progress at -2.6%.

Abstract

Smartphone Market Projections (‘mln’)	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023F	2024F	2025F	2026F	2027F	Common
Americas	258.77	241.76	260.02	235.79	229.50	223.30	217.11	211.19	205.52
Progress %	-3.8%	-6.6%	7.6%	-9.3%	-2.7%	-2.7%	-2.8%	-2.7%	-2.7%	-2.7%
Europe (EMEAI)	515.23	501.76	535.89	476.91	456.24	444.35	441.14	434.77	423.50
Progress %	3.2%	-2.6%	6.8%	-11.0%	-4.3%	-2.6%	-0.7%	-1.4%	-2.6%	-2.3%
China	366.60	325.70	329.50	285.80	277.11	268.49	257.26	246.45	235.41
Progress %	-8.0%	-11.2%	1.2%	-13.3%	-3.0%	-3.1%	-4.2%	-4.2%	-4.5%	-3.8%
Japan	28.05	26.00	27.37	25.55	25.80	25.06	24.09	23.08	22.17
Progress %	-6.9%	-7.3%	5.3%	-6.7%	1.0%	-2.9%	-3.9%	-4.2%	-4.0%	-2.8%
Different Asia Pacific	202.46	197.98	199.52	178.25	169.78	165.63	162.98	168.32	155.64
Progress %	-2.6%	-2.2%	0.8%	-10.7%	-4.8%	-2.4%	-1.6%	3.3%	-7.5%	-2.6%
Whole	1,371	1,293	1,353	1,202	1,158	1,127	1,102	1,084	1,042
Progress %	-2.4%	-5.7%	4.6%	-11.1%	-3.6%	-2.7%	-2.2%	-1.7%	-3.8%	-2.8%

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Supply: Our World in Information, Gartner, IDC, Khaveen Investments

In abstract, the smartphone market is a market which had slowing progress over the previous 10 years which signifies it’s a maturing market and is attributed to components corresponding to growing common lifetime of smartphones attributable to causes corresponding to lack of client attraction to new upgrades and longer software program replace help for outdated telephones.

Primarily based on our projections, the China area has the bottom common progress price (-3.8%). It is because China’s alternative price had decreased the very best at a mean of -5.5% (excluding 2021). In response to China Mobile Terminal Laboratory, Chinese language smartphone makers corresponding to Honor, Oppo, Huawei and Vivo’s “improve cycle” is lengthier (25.95 months) in comparison with different Android manufacturers corresponding to Samsung (OTCPK:SSNLF) (24.5 months). Thus, we imagine this area has the least progress potential among the many different areas. As compared, EMEAI has the very best common progress price however continues to be unfavourable at -2.3% as it’s supported by having the very best inhabitants progress projection of a mean of 1.3%

In whole, we forecast the entire market progress to say no by a mean of -2.8%. That is primarily because of the slowing improve in penetration price from 57.3% globally in 2022 to our forecasted price of 63.3% by 2027. Additionally, we projected the typical alternative price globally to say no from 20.8% to 18% by 2027.

World Premium Market Outlook

Primarily based on the desk under, we calculated the premium smartphone market section shipments (above $600) up to now 7 years based mostly on Counterpoint Analysis.

World Premium Smartphone Shipments	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	Common
Premium Share of Whole	7%	8%	13%	15%	15%	19%	21%
Non-Premium Share	93%	92%	87%	85%	85%	81%	79%
World Whole Smartphone Market Shipments (‘mln’)	1,472	1,465	1,405	1,371	1,293	1,352	1,202
Premium Shipments (‘mln’)	103.1	117.2	182.6	205.7	194.0	256.9	252.5
Progress %		13.7%	55.8%	12.6%	-5.7%	32.5%	-1.7%	17.9%
Non-Premium Shipments	1,369	1,348	1,222	1,165	1,099	1,095	950
Progress %		-1.6%	-9.3%	-4.6%	-5.7%	-0.4%	-13.3%	-5.8%

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Supply: Counterpoint Research, IDC, Khaveen Investments

As seen, the premium section progress had outperformed the non-premium section with a mean progress of 17.9% in comparison with -5.8% for the non-premium section. Moreover, we compiled the GDP per capita progress for every of the 5 areas within the desk under.

GDP Per Capita Progress by Area	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027	2028	Common	Ahead Common
Americas	-0.4%	-11.2%	14.0%	12.1%	6.9%	4.8%	3.4%	4.7%	3.5%	3.6%	3.6%	4.5%
Europe (EMEAI)	0.1%	-7.8%	14.9%	8.2%	2.4%	4.0%	4.8%	4.6%	4.5%	4.6%	3.9%	4.2%
China	3.3%	3.5%	19.4%	1.9%	7.1%	7.9%	7.4%	7.4%	7.2%	7.1%	7.0%	7.4%
Japan	1.8%	-1.1%	-0.6%	-15.2%	4.6%	3.1%	5.0%	4.6%	3.7%	5.8%	-3.8%	4.5%
Different Asia Pacific	1.7%	-0.4%	14.2%	-0.1%	5.6%	6.0%	6.1%	6.1%	5.9%	6.1%	3.8%	6.0%

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Supply: IMF, Khaveen Investments

China had the very best common GDP per capita progress with a mean of seven% up to now 3 years whereas Japan is the one area with a unfavourable common progress. Primarily based on the IMF, China is projected to proceed having the very best progress with a mean of seven.4% adopted by the Remainder of Asia Pacific. In our earlier evaluation, we highlighted its quick financial progress attributable to growing productiveness and huge capital investments.

To challenge the premium smartphone market gross sales by area, we first estimated the share of premium smartphone gross sales by area. To do that, we first compiled the market share of the premium smartphone makers in 2022 and their market share of the entire smartphone shipments in every of the 5 areas. We then multiplied every smartphone maker’s market share by area with their premium share and calculated the entire share of premium smartphones for every area.

In 2022, the premium smartphone market was predominantly led by Apple, which held a commanding 75% market share, showcasing its robust place and recognition on this section. Samsung adopted because the second-largest participant with a 16% share.

Market Share of Smartphone Makers	Americas	Europe (EMEAI)	China	Japan	Different Asia Pacific
Apple	27.00%	14%	22%	49.00%	16.13%
Samsung	32.50%	29%		9.10%	24.51%
Huawei		0%			5.62%
Xiaomi (OTCPK:XIACF)	6.5%	17%	12%		17.51%
Honor		0%	15%
Google (GOOG)	1.50%
Others	32.5%	40.5%	51.0%	41.9%	36.2%

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Supply: Counterpoint Analysis, IDC, Khaveen Investments

Primarily based on the desk above of the smartphone market share, among the many areas, Apple’s market share is the very best in Japan and was the market chief there, adopted by the Americas.

Premium Market Share	Americas	Europe (EMEAI)	China	Japan	Different Asia Pacific
Whole Share of Premium	26.5%	16.5%	18.3%	39.5%	17.4%
Whole Share of Non-Premium	73.5%	83.5%	81.7%	60.5%	82.6%

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Supply: Counterpoint Analysis, IDC, Khaveen Investments

Within the desk above, we calculated the entire share of premium smartphones by area by multiplying the market share of the smartphone markets of every area with their market share of the entire world premium smartphone market. As seen, the area with the very best share is Japan at virtually 40% adopted by the Americas at 26.5%.

Premium Smartphone Market Share	Americas	Europe (EMEAI)	China	Japan	Different Asia Pacific
Apple	76.4%	63.8%	90.2%	93.1%	69.3%
Samsung	19.6%	27.8%	N/A	3.7%	22.5%
Huawei	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	1.0%
Xiaomi	0.2%	1.0%	0.7%	N/A	1.0%
Honor	N/A	N/A	0.8%	N/A	N/A
Google	0.1%	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Others	3.7%	7.3%	8.4%	3.2%	6.2%

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Supply: Counterpoint Analysis, IDC, Khaveen Investments

Moreover, the desk above exhibits our market share estimates of every of the highest premium smartphone makers in the primary geographic areas. From the desk, Apple has the very best share in all markets particularly Japan adopted by China at over 90% in each areas. Then again, Samsung trails behind because the second largest in all markets. Within the Americas area, Apple’s market share is buoyed by its excessive market share within the US which was 48.7% in 2022 however has a low share within the South American market (4%).

Projections

Primarily based on the GDP per capita progress projections by area from the IMF, we forecast the premium smartphone marketplace for every area. We did this by multiplying our smartphone market forecast progress price for every area with their respective GDP per capita projected progress.

Premium Smartphone Market Projections	2022	2023F	2024F	2025F	2026F	2027F	Common
Americas	62.50	65.02	66.30	66.67	67.87	68.39
Progress %		4.0%	2.0%	0.6%	1.8%	0.8%	1.8%
Europe (EMEAI)	78.80	77.19	78.21	81.36	83.89	85.41
Progress %		-2.0%	1.3%	4.0%	3.1%	1.8%	1.6%
China	52.30	54.30	56.75	58.42	60.13	61.58
Progress %		3.8%	4.5%	2.9%	2.9%	2.4%	3.3%
Japan	10.08	10.65	10.67	10.77	10.80	10.75
Progress %		5.7%	0.2%	1.0%	0.2%	-0.4%	1.3%
Different Asia Pacific	31.10	31.30	32.38	33.82	37.05	36.27
Progress %		0.6%	3.5%	4.4%	9.5%	-2.1%	3.2%
Whole	234.8	238.5	244.3	251.1	259.7	262.4
Progress %		1.6%	2.5%	2.8%	3.5%	1.0%	2.3%

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Supply: Counterpoint Analysis, IDC, Khaveen Investments

In whole, based mostly on our projections within the desk above, all areas have constructive progress which is in distinction with our whole smartphone market projections. The section with the very best common among the many listed areas is China with a mean progress price of three.3% regardless of our projections for its whole smartphone gross sales being the bottom, attributable to its GDP per capita progress which is the very best among the many areas at 7.4%. Nevertheless, Apple already dominates the Chinese language premium market. As compared, we imagine the EMEAI section which is the most important market by shipments may present Apple with progress alternatives not simply restricted to the market progress of 1.6% but additionally presumably for it to achieve market share within the area because it has a low market share in Center East, Africa and India. Moreover, the Remainder of Asia Pacific has the second highest common progress however is fourth when it comes to market share, although we imagine Apple may give attention to the section in addition to its market share is the second lowest on this area. Primarily based on its earlier earnings briefing, the corporate highlighted that it had document gross sales in each EMEAI and the Remainder of Asia Pacific areas together with India in addition to “Center East and Africa, Indonesia, the Philippines, Italy, the Netherlands and the U.Okay”.

Competitors in Premium Market

On this part, we study whether or not Apple may preserve its market share within the premium smartphone market. We did this by evaluating the premium smartphone makers when it comes to 3 standards that are branding, options and product breadth.

Premium Market Share	2021	2022
Apple	71%	75%
Samsung	17%	16%
Huawei	5%	3%
Xiaomi	2%	1%
Honor	1%	1%
Google	1%	1%
Others	3%	3%

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Supply: Counterpoint Analysis, Khaveen Investments

In 2021, Apple dominated the premium smartphone market with a commanding 71% market share, adopted distantly by Samsung at 17%, whereas different rivals like Huawei, Xiaomi, Honor, and Google held smaller shares starting from 5% to 1%. Nevertheless, in 2022, Apple additional strengthened its place, growing its market share to 75%, and solidifying its management within the premium section. In the meantime, Samsung noticed a slight decline to 16%, whereas Huawei’s share dropped to three%, and Xiaomi decreased to 1%. Honor, Google, and different gamers maintained their respective 1% to three% market shares.

Branding

For our Branding standards, we in contrast the highest premium smartphone manufacturers when it comes to buyer satisfaction/(NPS Score), recognition (Google Trends) and firm affect to drive constructive monetary affect (Interbrand ranking). For NPS Rating, we referred to information from Comparably which derived the scores for every model based mostly on public response to gauge buyer satisfaction. Furthermore, we referred to Google Tendencies because the dominant most popular search engine globally. Lastly, we referred to Interbrand which ranked these manufacturers based mostly on a complete set of things corresponding to monetary efficiency, position of name in buy selections and model means to create loyalty in response to its web site.

Firm	NPS Rating	Google Tendencies	Interbrand Rating
Apple	50	68	1
Samsung	36	85	5
Huawei	38	10	86
Xiaomi	43	17	84
Honor	38	6	>100
Google	45	3	4

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Supply: Counterpoint Analysis, Khaveen Investments

For branding, we in contrast the businesses when it comes to NPS rating, Google Pattern rating and Interbrand rankings. Apple tops the NPS chart with a rating of fifty, signifying excessive buyer loyalty and satisfaction, whereas additionally holding the primary place in Interbrand’s rating. Samsung, with a decrease NPS of 36, ranks fifth in Interbrand’s record however exhibits robust recognition on Google Tendencies. Huawei, Xiaomi, and Honor have NPS scores starting from 38 to 43, with Huawei having the very best Interbrand rating amongst them at 86.

Options

For our Options standards, we in contrast the highest premium smartphone makers based mostly on a set of metric scores derived from DXOMark which carried out numerous exams on every firm’s premium smartphone mannequin based mostly on Digital camera, Selfie, Audio, Show and Battery metrics.

Firm	Digital camera and Selfie	Audio	Show	Battery	Common
Apple	142	142	144	123	136.6
Samsung	134	136	149	122	132.7
Huawei	150	143	144	121	139.1
Xiaomi	132	108	132	128	126.9
Honor	136	138	145	125	133.9
Google	141	135	148.5	95	127.3

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Supply: DXOMark, Khaveen Investments

For the options comparability, we based mostly our information on DXOMark which scores every of the corporate’s smartphone fashions based mostly on Digital camera and Selfie, Audio, Show and Battery. We additionally compiled the variety of smartphone merchandise every firm has within the premium section up to now 1 12 months. Primarily based on the desk, Huawei is the highest performer with the very best common rating of 139.1, significantly excelling within the Digital camera and Audio classes. Apple trails behind Huawei with increased scores within the Battery class however decrease scores in Digital camera, Audio and Show.

Efficiency

For our Efficiency standards, we in contrast the highest premium smartphone makers based mostly on their common AnTuTu benchmark rating which encompasses the efficiency analysis of every smartphone’s CPU, GPU, reminiscence and person expertise.

Firm	Common Efficiency Rating
Apple	1,398,692
Samsung	1,511,635
Huawei	1,166,084
Xiaomi	1,482,294
Honor	1,110,866
Google	815,169

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Supply: AnTuTu, Khaveen Investments

Primarily based on the desk, Apple trails behind Samsung and Xiaomi with the very best common AnTuTu benchmark scores however is forward of rivals corresponding to Huawei, Honor and Google. This means that Samsung’s premium smartphones supply superior efficiency capabilities in comparison with rivals.

Product Breadth

Lastly, our final issue for comparability is Product Breadth, which we based mostly on the variety of smartphone fashions the corporate had up to now 1 12 months based mostly on information from DXOMark.

Firm	Variety of Smartphones
Apple	4
Samsung	5
Huawei	2
Xiaomi	4
Honor	2
Google	2

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Supply: DXOMark, Khaveen Investments

Primarily based on the desk, Samsung has the most important product breadth because it has a larger variety of premium fashions which incorporates its flagship Galaxy S sequence in addition to foldable telephones. That is adopted by Apple and Xiaomi that are tied with 4 fashions every. Huawei, Honor and Google have the smallest product breadth with solely 2 fashions every. Thus, this highlights a slight product breadth benefit for Samsung providing shoppers extra selections.

Total

Rating	Branding	Options	Efficiency	Product Breadth	Common	Aggressive Issue Rating
Apple	1	2	3	2	2.00	1.30
Samsung	3	4	1	1	2.25	1.25
Huawei	5	1	4	4	3.50	1.00
Xiaomi	4	6	2	2	3.50	1.00
Honor	6	3	5	4	4.50	0.80
Google	2	5	6	4	4.25	0.85

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Aggressive Issue Rating = [(6-Average Ranking)/6] +0.5

Supply: Khaveen Investments

Primarily based on the information, we ranked every of the premium smartphone makers throughout 4 metric areas that are Branding, Options, Efficiency and Product Breadth, with a mean rating supplied for every firm. Apple has the highest place with an total common rating of two.00. Samsung follows carefully with a mean rating of two.25, excelling in Efficiency and Product Breadth. Huawei, Xiaomi, Google and Honor are ranked consecutively. Total, we imagine Apple is the highest premium smartphone maker as a complete with a prime rating in Branding and is just one place behind when it comes to Options and Product Breadth and two positions behind in Efficiency. We estimated an element rating based mostly on its common which we multiplied with our premium smartphone market projections to forecast its progress for the iPhone section. The next rating than 1 implies a progress above the market.

Danger: Huawei Competitors

We imagine one of many dangers to Apple within the premium section is Huawei. In response to TechInsights, Huawei’s new Mate 60 Professional includes a 7nm chip (~$970) which supplies it with 5G capabilities regardless of US sanctions. Moreover, China had reportedly banned iPhones for staff throughout the authorities premises which may have an effect on Apple’s competitiveness. In 2020, Huawei had a market share of 17% of the smartphone market above $400 however has decreased considerably in 2021 to six%. In 2022, it has solely a 3% market share of the $600 premium smartphone market.

In our earlier evaluation, we highlighted that the embargo in opposition to Huawei benefitted Chinese language smartphone makers in China, particularly Honor. Nevertheless, we imagine Huawei’s resurrection with premium 5G telephones may have an effect on Apple extra vastly as Honor solely had a minimal share of 1% in comparison with Apple whose market share elevated to 75% in 2022. Total, Huawei misplaced market share after the US authorities restricted its entry to 5G. Now that it has reportedly achieved 5G capabilities, we imagine this might pose a menace to Apple and different rivals within the premium smartphone market.

Valuation

Apple Income Forecast ($ mln)	2022	2023F	2024F	2025F	2026F
iPhone	205.5	209.04	217.59	226.50	235.77
Progress %	7.0%	1.7%	4.1%	4.1%	4.1%
Mac	40.2	28.99	39.79	41.79	43.89
Progress %	14.2%	-27.8%	37.3%	5.0%	5.0%
iPad	29.3	29.14	33.72	34.46	35.21
Progress %	-8.1%	-0.5%	15.7%	2.2%	2.2%
Wearables, house and equipment	41.2	40.70	46.23	51.14	55.03
Progress %	7.4%	-1.3%	13.6%	10.6%	7.6%
Companies	78.1	83.85	102.99	126.39	155.51
Progress %	14.2%	7.3%	22.8%	22.7%	23.0%
Whole	394.3	391.7	440.3	480.3	525.4
Whole Progress %	7.8%	-0.7%	12.4%	9.1%	9.4%

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Supply: Khaveen Investments

We up to date our valuation from our earlier evaluation with our new projections as seen within the desk above. For 2023, we prorated its revenues based mostly on its Q1 to Q3 section outcomes to forecast its whole revenues. Past 2023, we up to date our progress forecasts for its iPhone section. As mentioned within the third level, we forecasted its cargo progress adjusted by our issue rating at a mean of two.8%. Moreover, we utilized our forecasted ARPU progress from the earlier evaluation to forecast its whole iPhone progress of 4.1%.

Primarily based on our up to date DCF mannequin with a reduction price of 9.9% (firm’s WACC), we obtained an upside of 13.77% with the terminal worth based mostly on a weighted common EV/EBITDA of 17.47x.

EV/EBITDA	Income ($ bln)	Weight	Weighted Common
Product	316.2	80.2%	14.38x
Service	78.1	19.8%	29.99x
Whole	394.3	100.0%	17.47x

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Supply: Searching for Alpha, Khaveen Investments

Verdict

In abstract, we imagine that the smartphone market has proven indicators of slowing progress over the previous decade, indicative of a maturing business. This deceleration will be attributed to a number of components, together with the lengthening common lifespan of smartphones attributable to decreased client enthusiasm for frequent upgrades and the prolonged software program help supplied for older units. Our forecast signifies an anticipated decline within the whole market progress, averaging at -2.8%. This projection primarily stems from the sluggish rise in penetration charges, that are anticipated to succeed in 63.4% globally by 2027, in addition to a decreased world alternative price, projected to say no from 20.8% to 18% by the identical 12 months. Regardless of the general market contraction, our information suggests that every one areas are more likely to expertise constructive progress. We anticipate China, specifically with a mean progress price of three.3% attributable to its robust GDP per capita progress forecast in comparison with different areas.

Moreover, we’ve got evaluated premium smartphone makers based mostly on key metrics together with Branding, Options, Efficiency and Product Breadth. In our evaluation, Apple emerges as the highest performer, boasting a formidable total common rating of two. This locations it firmly within the lead, supported by its distinctive Branding and Product Breadth. When contemplating these rankings, we imagine that Apple presently holds the dominant place amongst premium smartphone makers, rating first in Branding and trailing solely barely in Options and Product Breadth. This analysis is additional utilized to estimate an element rating for Apple, which we then multiplied by our premium smartphone market projections to forecast its progress throughout the iPhone section. Total, we preserve our Purchase ranking however with a cheaper price goal of $194.78 attributable to a decrease 5-year forecast of seven.7% in comparison with 9.9% beforehand as the corporate faces short-term headwinds in 2023 earlier than our expectations of a progress restoration in 2024.

Editor’s Observe: This text discusses a number of securities that don’t commerce on a serious U.S. alternate. Please concentrate on the dangers related to these shares.