Huawei has become the top smartphone brand in China once again. In the second quarter of 2025, the company shipped 12.2 million phones in China, growing 15% compared to last year, according to research firm Canalys. This gave Huawei an 18% market share — the highest in the country.
It’s the first time Huawei has held the No. 1 spot since early 2024.
Apple also had good news. It shipped 10.1 million smartphones in China during the same period, a 4% increase from last year. This marks Apple’s first growth in China since late 2023, putting the company in fifth place.
These numbers reflect how many phones were sent to retailers — not sold directly to customers — but they still show trends in market demand.
Apple has been struggling in China due to strong competition from local brands like Huawei and Xiaomi. But in the second quarter, Apple adjusted its pricing strategy. It lowered prices for the iPhone 16 series and offered better trade-in deals. Chinese online stores also offered discounts, which helped boost sales.
Huawei, meanwhile, has been pushing hard since its return to the market in late 2023. Despite U.S. sanctions in previous years, it has released several new models and rolled out HarmonyOS 5, its own operating system, to compete with Android and iOS.
Experts say Huawei’s strategy is helping it build a bigger user base. But it also brings challenges, such as keeping its system compatible and user-friendly.
Apple will release its earnings report later this week. Investors are watching closely to see how the company performs in China — a key market for its global success.
So far in 2025, Apple’s stock is down about 14.5%, partly because of concerns about its position in China and global tensions.
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