Google Pixels increase their share of the North American smartphone market to a significant degree in the first quarter of 2022

Google is now officially tipped as "on the offensive" in terms of grabbing more of a share of the North American smartphone market. Its Pixel line of mobile devices saw a "significant" growth of 380% YoY to attain shipments of 1.2 million units in 1Q2022, compared to just 0.2 million in 1Q2021.

This change in fortunes is mostly attributed to the success of the latest 6 series and all the extra work Google has ostensibly put into it, as well as a broad carrier presence and improved marketing strategies such as a partnership with the NBA. Things might stay that way in 2Q2022 as the 6a is released and enthusiasm for the 7 series and Pixel Watch grow.

According to Canalys, Lenovo (or its brand Motorola, rather) also owes its freshly-established #3 position in the market to its links to carriers, although it mostly focuses on mid-range and prepay networks in its case.

It posted a growth of 56% YoY to attain a share of 10% in 1Q2022, whereas its neighbors in the rankings, Samsung and TCL, ended the quarter at 27% (+1% YoY, thanks, apparently, to the latest generation of Galaxy S- and A-series phones) and 4% (-21% YoY) of the market.

However, none of them could touch Apple, with a share that grew from 45% in 1Q2021 to 51% a year later. Canalys believes that it will benefit from the increased development of sub-6GHz and C-band 5G support in the region going forward, which might prove (very welcome) good news for sales of the iPhone SE (2022).

As for the North American market as a whole, it grew by 3.7% YoY despite the looming specter of economic downturn - in fact, Canalys indicates that it might have done even better were it not for the inflationary "pressure" already coming into effect in 1Q2022.

Nevertheless, the region may evade "significant volatility" in coming quarters as it may avoid the worst effects of any further supply-chain disruptions, while benefitting from the aggressive discounts likely to emanate from carriers looking to keep customers despite rising prices in many aspects of their business.