The Middle East (excluding Turkey) is expected to be one of the best-performing regions in terms of smartphone shipment growth in 2023, according to a report released today by Canalys.
The report states that the market is expected to recover shipments of nearly 46 million units by 2023, an increase of 13 percent year-on-year, with annual sales reaching $15 billion, bringing the average selling price (ASP) of smartphones in the region to $325 (about RMB 2,314).
The Canalys analyst Sanyam Chaurasia said that the Middle East’s polarised consumer market also offers different opportunities for new entrants, especially those making inroads at the top end of the market.
On the one hand, the Middle East is attracting large numbers of work migrants, creating new demand for mass-market devices, according to the presentation. On the other hand, the region has a lot of wealth, with more than half of sales in the Middle East coming from the $500+ price segment. The segment is dominated by Apple and Samsung, which together account for nearly 96% of shipments. Chinese manufacturers such as Honor, OPPO and Xiaomi are keen to make a difference by investing significantly in the region over the years.
