Huawei sales soar in China as Apple sinks

Huawei sales soar in China as Apple sinks

Huawei is not only making a strong comeback in China, it is also on the verge of overtaking Apple in the world’s largest smartphone market.

The Shenzhen-based conglomerate, which has become a flashpoint in the growing rivalry between Washington and Beijing, saw 70% year-over-year growth in its smartphone sales in China in the first quarter, while Apple’s sales fell more than 19%, according to Counterpoint Research. .

“Apple’s sales decreased in the quarter as Huawei’s comeback has directly impacted Apple in the premium segment,” said Ivan Lam, senior research analyst at Counterpoint.

The iPhone maker, which led China’s smartphone market with a nearly 20% share in the first quarter of 2023, has fallen to third place in the first three months of the year, according to Counterpoint. Its market share now stands at 15.7%, while Huawei has jumped to 15.5%, from 9.3% last year. Huawei’s popular Mate 60 Pro smartphone hit the headlines last year when the US government sought more information about the model, which includes an advanced processor. Its debut surprised industry experts who questioned how the company could acquire such chips in the wake of an all-out effort by the United States to restrict China’s access to foreign chip technology over national security concerns.

Counterpoint’s data comes just days after another market research firm IDC said Apple’s global smartphone sales had fallen 10% in the first quarter, mainly due to a loss of momentum in China.

China is the biggest market behind the United States for Apple, but the company is facing challenging times in the world’s second-largest economy. Chinese consumers, who once considered Apple, are now turning to Chinese brands.

Overall smartphone sales in China rose 1.5% in the first quarter, according to Counterpoint. Local smartphone makers Vivo and Honor are the top two brands by market share.