Share of the Chinese smartphone market 2014-2018, by vendor
As of the third quarter of 2018, Huawei accounted for the highest market share of the Chinese smartphone market with a share of 24.6 percent.
The rise of Huawei
In 2014, the smartphone market in China was fierce with both domestic brands. Foreign brands like Samsung and Apple all accounting for only around ten percent of the market. However, in the last few years, the market was much more concentrated since Huawei stood out from the competition along with two other domestic brands; Oppo and Vivo. The three brands have become the largest players in the market with a total combined market share of over 60%. 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, and after years of work, the market share of Huawei has reached over 17 percent. Global shipments of Huawei devices have doubled in the past three years, from slightly over 107 million units in 2015 to 200 million units in 2018.
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, 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.
The rise of Huawei
In 2014, the smartphone market in China was fierce with both domestic brands. Foreign brands like Samsung and Apple all accounting for only around ten percent of the market. However, in the last few years, the market was much more concentrated since Huawei stood out from the competition along with two other domestic brands; Oppo and Vivo. The three brands have become the largest players in the market with a total combined market share of over 60%. 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, and after years of work, the market share of Huawei has reached over 17 percent. Global shipments of Huawei devices have doubled in the past three years, from slightly over 107 million units in 2015 to 200 million units in 2018.
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, 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.
