Share of the major Chinese smartphone market 2014-2023, by vendor

In 2023, Honor and Apple accounted for the highest market share of the Chinese smartphone market with a share of around 17 percent. In 2021, Huawei lost its leading position after the company was subjected U.S. trade restrictions. 

The rise of Huawei

  Back in 2014, the competition in the smartphone market in China was fierce with both domestic brands and foreign brands like Samsung and Apple. Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo have become the largest players in the market with a total combined market share of over 50%. Additionally, Huawei’s brand recognition has spread to other parts of the world. In the first quarter of 2012, the smartphone shipments of Huawei only accounted for around three percent globally, but the market share of Huawei has has diappeared. Global shipments of Huawei devices have also vanished, from slightly over 107 million units in 2015 to almost nothing in 2023

Chinese smartphone market

  Since 2011, the volume of smartphone shipments in China has steadily increased, reaching over 460 million units in 2016 at the highest ever shipment. However, the figure dropped slightly in 2017 and even fell below 400 million units in 2018 and 2019, parallel to the economic downturn worldwide and demonstrating the slowing down of Chinese economic growth. However, due to the largest population in the world, more smartphones were sold in China than in any other country. The country is forecasted to maintain its market leadership and is projected to account for about a quarter of the worldwide smartphone shipments in 2019.