The dust is settling on China’s massive 618 shopping festival, and a new trend is clear: domestic smartphone makers are taking a commanding lead in the high-end market.
According to JD.com’s “Smartphone Racing Ranking,” an impressive seven out of the top ten best-selling models priced above 6000 yuan (roughly $828) during 618 were from Chinese manufacturers, with Huawei boasting the most entries.
Domestic Brands Dominate: Huawei Leads Over Apple in High-End Smartphone Sales
This marks a significant shift for the Chinese market, which has traditionally seen Apple hold strong in the premium segment. While Apple still secured three spots in the top ten with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Plus, Huawei stole the show with five entries: the Pura 70 series (including the Pro, Pro+, and Ultra variants) and the Mate 60 Pro. Vivo also managed to grab two spots with their foldable X Fold 3 and the X100 Ultra.
Huawei‘s dominance extends beyond just the number of models. Their flagship Mate60 Pro, launched last August, has reportedly held its resale value remarkably well. Despite a starting price of 6499 yuan ($896) through the Pioneer Program, the phone has only seen a minor price decrease on e-commerce platforms, showcasing strong consumer confidence in Huawei’s high-end offerings.
Factors Behind the Shift
This trend can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, domestic manufacturers like Huawei have made significant strides in innovation, offering feature-packed phones that rival or even surpass Apple in certain aspects.
Secondly, aggressive pricing strategies, particularly during sales periods like 618, have made these high-end devices more accessible to domestic consumers. Finally, with ongoing political tensions between China and the US, some consumers might be shifting their preferences towards homegrown brands.
Apple, however, is not out of the race entirely. Their decision to lower prices, with the iPhone 15 starting at 4599 yuan ($634), helped them maintain a presence in the high-end segment.
A Wider Range of Options for Consumers
With Huawei leading the charge and other brands like Vivo showing strong potential, consumers now have a wider range of compelling options to choose from when it comes to ultra-high-end smartphones. This not only puts pressure on Apple to remain competitive but also signifies a potential turning point in the global smartphone landscape.
