Counterpoint’s latest report on smartphone shipments in China is in, and Huawei has come out on top, beating every other brand to claim the No. 1 spot in Q1 2025.
Overall, China’s smartphone market grew 5 percent year over year, thanks in part to a government subsidy program launched in January. But that early momentum didn’t last. According to Counterpoint, demand cooled after the holiday season, and growth still fell short of expectations.
Huawei grew modestly to grab the top spot
Huawei took a 19 percent share of the market this quarter, up 2 percent from Q4 2024. Xiaomi matched that 19 percent share but posted a slightly stronger quarter-over-quarter gain of 3 percent.
Apple slipped to third place. Its shipment fell 2 percent, bringing its market share down from 17 percent to 15 percent. Counterpoint attributes the drop to the structure of the government subsidy program, which only applies to phones priced above CNY 6,000 (about $820). Most iPhones, including the best-selling Pro models, are well above that threshold, putting them out of reach for any discount.
Oppo came in fourth, with a 15 percent share and modest 1 percent growth. Vivo saw a bigger drop, falling from 18 percent to 14 percent compared to the previous quarter. Honor followed with a 13 percent share, landing in sixth place.
Looking ahead, Counterpoint expects the Chinese smartphone market to continue growing year over year in 2025, though at a slower pace. Upcoming device launches in Q2 and the mid-year sales festivals are likely to give shipments a temporary boost.
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