Samsung and Apple losing market share

The global smartphone market grew 9.1 percent in the first quarter of this year, according to Gartner technology research. Apple and Samsung were the top smartphone makers but growth was driven by a trio of Chinese firms.

A total of 380 million smartphones were shipped worldwide between January and March, compared with 348.2 million during the same period in 2016.

Samsung was the world's top smartphone maker with a 23 percent market share. Its shipments fell 2.5 million units to 78.7 million.

Apple's unit shipments were up during the period, reaching 52 million. However, its market share shrank from 14.8 percent to 13.7 percent.

According to the research, Apple is increasingly facing fierce competition from Chinese brands. Its performance in the market is "under attack," said Gartner.

China-based smartphone makers Huawei, Oppo, and Vivo, which...