Despite facing significant challenges, Huawei has successfully staged a remarkable resurgence in its domestic market of China. The company has reclaimed its position as the leading brand in the Chinese smartphone market, surpassing competitors such as Apple, Oppo, and Vivo.
Huawei's Resurgence in the Chinese Market
Huawei's return to the top spot comes at a time when it has been grappling with continued sanctions imposed by the US government. Despite these obstacles, the Chinese tech giant has emerged as the dominant brand in the Chinese smartphone sector, outperforming both local competitors and Apple. According to a recent report by Canalys (Via AsiaNikkei), Huawei experienced a significant surge in sales, shipping 11.7 million smartphones in China during the first quarter of this year.
This represents a substantial 70 percent increase compared to the previous year. In contrast, Apple, based in Cupertino, slipped to the fifth position as its shipments in China declined by 25 percent. Additionally, both Oppo and Vivo also faced declines in sales during the first quarter of 2024. Notably, Honor, Huawei's former budget smartphone subsidiary, saw a growth of 9 percent in the same period.
Competitive Landscape in China
China stands as the largest smartphone market globally, and the competition among the top six brands remains intense. The rankings were closely contested, with only slight variances separating the smartphone manufacturers. Huawei's resurgence to the top position is credited to the launch of its first-ever 5G-enabled smartphone featuring its in-house chip (Mate 60 Pro) and the introduction of its new Pura 70 lineup.
