Smartphone market in Vietnam declined by -30% annually in Q4 2022. It is the seventh straight annual decline in this market. The fourth quarter typically has been strong, but it has been an exception this year. Detailed analysis and estimates by vendor are available here from our Smartphone Country Share Tracker (SCST).

This sharp decline has been attributed to economic headwinds, high inflation leading to declining consumer demand. For an export-oriented economy like Vietnam, the global recessionary pressures and the continued war in Europe has not helped either. The supply disruptions from the latter event came at a time when the country was recovering from the pandemic impact.

Samsung, Apple and OPPO were the top three vendors with market shares of 32%, 20% and 19% respectively, in Q4 2022. All the top five smartphone vendors in this market declined except for Apple.

Samsung, while it led the market in Q4 2022 recorded the lowest volumes in the past six quarters. The vendor declined by -27% annually. The Galaxy A series led the volumes for it in the quarter.

Apple recorded its highest ever quarterly volumes in Vietnam in Q4 2022. The vendor grew by 22% annually. The vendor confirmed to the cyclical trends with a strong last quarter performance and iPhone 14 series drove its growth.

OPPO’s smartphone shipments declined by -34% annually. It recorded its lowest ever volumes in the past 10 quarters. OPPO’s volumes were led by its A series.

Is Vietnam smartphone market poised for recovery in 2023?

What are the growth triggers? Who is set to emerge as challenger for the top three?