Samsung Electronics Co. retained its top position in the global smartphone market in July with better-than-expected sales of its 10th anniversary premium phones and enhanced budget line.

According to industry sources and Hana Financial Investment on Friday, global smartphone sales in July were estimated at 118 million units, contracting 7 percent from the same month a year earlier.

Phone demand sharply weakened in the U.S. and China amid ongoing trade tensions. Smartphone sales in the U.S. fell 3 percent in July from the previous month and 15 percent from a year earlier, and those in China sank 3 percent on month and 11 percent on year.

India was only major smartphone market whose demand increased 1 percent on month and 4 percent from a year earlier.

Despite the softening smartphone demand worldwide, Samsung Electronics was estimated to have sold 26.49 million units, up 2 percent on month and 3 percent on year.

The Korean tech giant was responsible for the largest 22 percent share of the global smartphone market in July, retaining its top position. Its share in the U.S. was 27 percent, 3 percentage points higher from the previous month. In China, it accounted for 0.7 percent, down slightly from previous month’s 0.9 percent.

[Photo provided by Samsung Electronics Co.]

Apple, Samsung Electronics’ long-standing rival especially in the premium category, was estimated to have sold 11.06 million units in July, claiming 9 percent of the global smartphone market. Its shipments gained 4 percent from a month earlier but plunged 15 percent from a year earlier. Its share in the U.S. smartphone market shriveled to 38 percent in July from 41 percent a month earlier while the company managed to maintain its share in China at around 4 percent.

Huawei, Chinese electronics giant, was estimated to have sold 18.6 million smartphones across the world in July, growing 14.7 percent on month but down 5.9 percent on year. Its share in the global smartphone market was 15.7 percent.

LG Electronics, another major electronics maker from Korea, accounted for 2 percent of the global smartphone market in July after selling 23.3 million units. Its smartphone sales volume plunged 40 percent worldwide from a year earlier. In July, the company accounted for 12 percent of the U.S. smartphone market, down from 14 percent in June.

By Chun Gyung-woon and Cho Jeehyun

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]