Huawei has reclaimed the top spot in China’s smartphone market, according to a report by Counterpoint. That’s a big milestone for the Chinese tech giant, which had been struggling in recent years due to US sanctions.
The report states that Huawei captured 18.1% of the market share in the fourth quarter of 2024, achieving a significant 15.5% growth. Xiaomi follows closely behind with a 17.2% share and 3.9% growth, while Apple holds 17.1%, experiencing a sharp 18.2% decline in sales. Vivo (16.3%), Honor (13.6%), and Oppo (12.5%) round out the top contenders.
Huawei’s new launches are a success in China
Huawei’s growth can be attributed to the success of its mid-range Nova 13 series and the high-end Mate 70 series, both of which were well-received by Chinese consumers.
It’s important to remember that Huawei’s journey back to the top wasn’t easy. The US ban severely restricted their access to crucial technologies and components.
However, Huawei persevered by developing its chipsets and building a new supply chain with Chinese companies. This dedication to self-reliance seems to have resonated with Chinese consumers, who view domestic chip production as a sign of national strength.
The news comes just after a report revealed that Huawei maintained its dominance with nearly 50% of the share in the Chinese foldable market, followed by Honor at 20.6%.
The bigger picture
Looking at the bigger picture, China’s smartphone market experienced a slight decline of 3.2% year-on-year in Q4 2024. This is the only quarter in 2024 to show a negative trend.
Despite this, the annual figures for 2024 paint a more optimistic picture. The market witnessed a 1.5% year-on-year growth while Vivo led the pack for the entire year at 17.8%, followed closely by Huawei (16.3%) and Xiaomi (15.7%).
Counterpoint predicts that China’s smartphone market will see continued growth in 2025, albeit at a slow pace. It will be interesting to see if Huawei can maintain its lead, or if Xiaomi or Apple will make a comeback.
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