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Decade of Smartphones
TikTok vs Meta
A Decade of Smartphones: Samsung Stays on Top, Google Rises Quietly
Source: TrendForce and Visual Capitalist
Over the past 10 years, Samsung and Apple have dominated global smartphone production. Samsung stayed #1, though its output dropped from 321 million units in 2015 to 226 million in 2024, while Apple slowly closed the gap, reaching 223 million units.
Former giants like LG, Nokia, and Sony faded fast—LG exited by 2022, and Sony's production plunged by over 90%. Mid-tier brands like Asus and Acer also fell off, while others like HTC and BlackBerry disappeared entirely after 2018.
The biggest surprise? Google. Starting from almost zero, its Pixel line reached 10.5 million units in 2024. Though small in numbers, Pixel’s AI features and camera tech have carved out a loyal, growing fan base.
TikTok Surge Fuels ByteDance’s Bid to Match Meta’s Revenue
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is aiming for approximately $186 billion in sales, up from $155 billion in 2024. This ambitious target positions ByteDance to potentially match Meta Platforms' revenue, signaling a significant shift in the digital advertising landscape.
TikTok's rapid growth is a key driver of ByteDance's revenue aspirations. The platform's expanding user base and increasing engagement have attracted advertisers, contributing to the company's robust financial performance.
However, ByteDance faces challenges, particularly in the U.S., where regulatory scrutiny over data privacy and national security concerns persists. Despite these hurdles, the company's focus on innovation and user engagement continues to fuel its competitive edge in the global market.
China's Synyi AI Launches First AI-Only Clinic in Saudi Arabia
Source: Synyi AI
Chinese startup Synyi AI has opened Saudi Arabia's first clinic run entirely by artificial intelligence, marking a bold step in the future of healthcare. The clinic, located in Riyadh, uses AI to diagnose and treat patients without human doctors, aiming to deliver faster and more affordable care.
This pilot is part of Saudi Arabia's broader push to modernize its healthcare system and become a hub for AI innovation. The government is investing heavily in digital infrastructure, and Synyi's clinic could serve as a model for expanding AI-driven services across the region.
While the technology promises efficiency, it also raises questions about patient trust, data privacy, and the role of human oversight in medicine. Still, the clinic’s launch signals a growing willingness to experiment with AI in critical sectors like healthcare.