China's Q1 smartphone shipments fell 5% YoY as subsidy-led demand was weak and price hikes further subdued demand.
Huawei took the top spot, driven by strong sales of new models like the Mate 80 and Nova 15, as well as price cuts on older models such as the Pura 80 and Mate 70.
Apple ranked second with the highest YoY growth, fueled by continued strong demand for the iPhone 17 series.
OPPO saw a 5% YoY growth, driven by sustained strong demand for the Reno series. OnePlus also posted strong YoY growth, driven by the Ace 6 series and the newly launched Turbo series.
Due to increasing cost pressure, OPPO, vivo, and HONOR raised prices for their legacy models in March, leading to sharper declines in late March. The impact of these price increases is expected to intensify in the following months.
This report is part of a series of reports which track the mobile handset market: Smartphone and Feature Phone shipments every quarter for more than 140 brands covering more than 97% of the total device shipments in the industry.
China's Q4 and full-year 2025 smartphone shipments were nealy flat YoY. Aside from a Q1 boost from national subsidies, shipments contracted YoY in all other quarters.
Apple led China’s smartphone market in Q4 with the highest YoY growth, fueled by strong demand for the iPhone 17 series.
OPPO also saw a 15% YoY growth, driven by sustained strong demand for the Reno series, alongside incremental volumes from the newly launched Find X9 and OnePlus 15 series.
Huawei’s mid-to-high-end models performed strongly following price discounts, reinforcing its overall market leadership. The delayed launch of the Huawei Mate 80 series relative to competing models weighed on its Q4 performance.
Amid rising memory costs, smartphone OEMs are expected to optimize their product portfolios, with a particular focus on scaling back low-end models to preserve margins. The new round of national subsidies has partially alleviated cost pressures across the industry. However, we remain cautious on the overall smartphone market outlook for this year.
China Smartphone Shipments Market Share (%)
Brands
Q4 2024
Q1 2025
Q2 2025
Q3 2025
Q4 2025
Apple
17%
15%
15%
15%
22%
vivo
18%
14%
18%
18%
16%
OPPO
14%
15%
16%
15%
16%
Huawei
17%
19%
18%
16%
14%
Xiaomi
16%
19%
16%
15%
13%
HONOR
14%
13%
13%
15%
13%
Others
5%
6%
5%
6%
5%
Q3 2025 Highlights
Market Highlights
1. China’s smartphone shipments fell 3% YoY in Q3 2025 as consumer demand stayed soft through the summer holiday and back-to-school periods amid a sluggish economy.
2. Apple saw a stronger-than-expected demand for the iPhone 17 series. The Pro models, in particular, benefited from notable design upgrades that served as a key purchase trigger. The iPhone 17 also sold well as its storage was upgraded from 128GB to 256GB while keeping the starting price unchanged at CNY 5,999.
3. Xiaomi’s flagship Mi 17 series, launched in late September, was well-received in the market, with the Pro models’ innovative rear display drawing particular attention.
4. Huawei continued to face headwinds, largely due to the limited app compatibility of HarmonyOS Next’s ecosystem.
5. Due to a pull-forward of demand and subdued economic conditions, we expect slower growth in Q4, resulting in a slight YoY decline in the full-year outlook.
China Smartphone Shipments Market Share (%)
Brands
Q2 2024
Q3 2024
Q4 2024
Q1 2025
Q2 2025
Q3 2025
vivo
19%
19%
18%
14%
18%
18%
Huawei
15%
18%
17%
19%
18%
16%
Xiaomi
15%
15%
16%
19%
16%
15%
OPPO
16%
15%
14%
15%
16%
15%
HONOR
15%
15%
14%
13%
13%
15%
Apple
14%
14%
17%
15%
15%
15%
Others
5%
5%
5%
6%
5%
6%
Q2 2025 Highlights
Source: Counterpoint ResearchMarket Highlights
China’s smartphone shipments fell 2% YoY in Q2 2025, as many OEMs had frontloaded demand by launching models earlier to capitalize on the national subsidy program. Additionally, some brands shifted from inventory buildup to destocking, further weighing on quarterly shipments.
Apple’s shipments grew 1% YoY, mainly driven by the biggest-ever price discounts for the iPhone 16 series. This move simultaneously eroded Huawei's premium segment share. However, Huawei showed resilience with 18% YoY growth, as strong demand for its newly launched Nova 14 series compensated for high-end segment pressures.
Xiaomi posted a moderate 4% YoY growth, as the subsidy program frontloaded market demand.
Though promotions and subsidies failed to generate new demand, they helped stabilize the market. The national subsidy program is expected to continue through the rest of 2025. Looking ahead, the Chinese market is expected to post YoY growth in 2025 but at a narrower rate.
China Smartphone Shipments Market Share (%)
Brands
Q1 2024
Q2 2024
Q3 2024
Q4 2024
Q1 2025
Q2 2025
Huawei
17%
15%
18%
17%
19%
18%
vivo
15%
19%
19%
18%
14%
18%
OPPO*
16%
16%
15%
14%
15%
16%
Xiaomi
14%
15%
15%
16%
19%
16%
Apple
16%
14%
14%
17%
15%
15%
HONOR
17%
15%
15%
14%
13%
13%
Others
6%
5%
5%
5%
6%
6%
HONOR separated from Huawei in Q4 2020 and its market share does not include Huawei brand family volumes starting Q1 2021. * OPPO includes OnePlus since Q3 2021. **Ranking is according to the latest quarter. *Data on this page is updated every quarter. This data represents the Chinese smartphone market share by quarter (from 2023-2025) by top OEMs.
For detailed insights on the data, please reach out to us at sales(at)counterpointresearch.com. If you are a member of the press, please contact us at press(at)counterpointresearch.com for any media enquiries.
Q1 2025 Highlights
Market Highlights
China’s smartphone shipments grew 5% YoY in Q1 2025, thanks to the government’s national subsidy program that boosted holiday-season sales. However, demand weakened post-holiday, resulting in overall quarterly performance falling below expectations.
Huawei and Xiaomi benefited the most from the subsidy program, with their shipments growing 18% and 40% YoY, respectively.
Apple’s shipments dipped 3% YoY, as most of its phones are priced above the subsidy threshold, including its best-selling Pro models. The subsidy program, launched in January, applies only to smartphones priced below CNY 6,000 (about $820).
Promotions and subsidies only frontload demand rather than creating a new one. Looking ahead, we still believe the market will post YoY growth for 2025, but at a smaller rate. OEMs will launch new models in Q2, and the mid-year sales festival will still have the potential to lift shipments.
China Smartphone Shipments Market Share (%)
Brands
Q4 2023
Q1 2024
Q2 2024
Q3 2024
Q4 2024
Q1 2025
Huawei
17%
17%
15%
18%
17%
19%
vivo
16%
15%
19%
19%
18%
14%
OPPO*
13%
16%
16%
15%
14%
15%
Xiaomi
13%
14%
15%
15%
16%
19%
Apple
21%
16%
14%
14%
17%
15%
HONOR
15%
17%
15%
15%
14%
13%
Others
5%
6%
5%
5%
5%
6%
HONOR separated from Huawei in Q4 2020 and its market share does not include Huawei brand family volumes starting Q1 2021.
* OPPO includes OnePlus since Q3 2021.
**Ranking is according to the latest quarter.
*Data on this page is updated every quarter. This data represents the Chinese smartphone market share by quarter (from 2023-2025) by top OEMs.
For detailed insights on the data, please reach out to us at sales(at)counterpointresearch.com. If you are a member of the press, please contact us at press(at)counterpointresearch.com for any media enquiries.
Q4 2024 Highlights
Market Highlights
China’s smartphone shipments increased 5% YoY and 9% QoQ in Q4 2024, marking a full year of consecutive quarterly YoY growth.
In Q4 2024, vivo retained the top spot with a market share of 18%, largely driven by the affordable Y series. Its sub-brand iQOO also contributed significantly to this growth.
Apple came in second with a 16.8% share, while Huawei followed closely at 16.7%. In addition to the Pura 70 and Mate 60 series, the newly launched mid-end Nova 13 series also contributed significantly to this growth. Xiaomi secured the fourth spot with a 16% market share, fueled by the popularity of its flagship Mi 15 series. The brand has made significant progress in premiumization this year.
In 2024, China’s smartphone shipments rose 4% YoY, compared to a 4% YoY decline in 2023. Looking ahead to 2025, China’s smartphone market is expected to continue its low-single-digit growth. The nationwide smartphone subsidy program announced in January could serve as a catalyst for boosting sales, especially during Q1 2025.
China Smartphone Shipments Market Share (%)
Brands
Q3 2023
Q4 2023
Q1 2024
Q2 2024
Q3 2024
Q4 2024
vivo
16%
16%
15%
19%
19%
18%
Apple
15%
21%
16%
14%
14%
17%
Huawei
14%
17%
17%
15%
18%
17%
Xiaomi
14%
13%
14%
15%
15%
16%
HONOR
19%
15%
17%
15%
15%
14%
OPPO*
16%
13%
16%
16%
15%
14%
Others
7%
5%
6%
5%
5%
5%
Q3 2024 Highlights
Market Highlights
China’s smartphone shipments increased 2% YoY and 1% QoQ in Q3 2024, confirming YoY growth for the country's smartphone market in 2024.
In Q3 2024, vivo stayed at the top with a 19% market share. The brand's strong performance has been backed by its rich portfolio almost across all price bands.
Huawei came in second with a 18% share and Xiaomi was third with a 15% share. Huawei’s Pura 70 and Mate 60 series drove most of its sales, reflecting the brand's strong presence in China’s premium segment. Xiaomi’s rise was driven by the success of its mid-to-high-end Redmi K series and flagship Mi series.
OEMs offered discounts on old models from the mid-end to premium segments to accelerate old model clearance and get channels ready for new product launches.
China Smartphone Shipments Market Share (%)
Brands
Q2 2023
Q3 2023
Q4 2023
Q1 2024
Q2 2024
Q3 2024
vivo
18%
16%
16%
15%
19%
19%
Huawei
11%
14%
17%
17%
15%
18%
Xiaomi
14%
14%
13%
14%
15%
15%
HONOR
15%
19%
15%
17%
15%
15%
OPPO*
18%
16%
13%
16%
16%
15%
Apple
16%
15%
21%
16%
14%
14%
Others
7%
7%
5%
6%
5%
5%
Q2 2024 Highlights
Market Highlights
• China’s smartphone market increased 10% YoY to reach 67.9 million unit shipments in Q2 2024 on the back of a robust 618 shopping festival period. • vivo maintained its leading position in the Chinese market with an improved product mix, where the premium X100 series accounted for a bigger sales share than past years. • Apple's shipments registered marginal decline in Q2 2024 but iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max contributed around half of Apple’s sales, signifying Chinese consumers’ preference for the Pro models. • Huawei was the fastest growing OEM driven by the Pura 70 series and Nova 12 series.
China Smartphone Shipments Market Share (%)
Brands
Q1 2023
Q2 2023
Q3 2023
Q4 2023
Q1 2024
Q2 2024
Huawei
10%
11%
14%
17%
17%
15%
Honor
16%
15%
19%
15%
17%
15%
Apple
19%
16%
15%
21%
16%
14%
OPPO*
18%
18%
16%
13%
16%
16%
vivo
16%
18%
16%
16%
15%
19%
Others
7%
7%
7%
5%
6%
5%
Q1 2024 Highlights
Market Highlights
• China’s smartphone shipments rose 2% YoY in Q1 2024, staying on track to low-digit annual growth. • HONOR emerged as the market leader with a 17% share driven by its mass-market products. • Huawei’s shipments increased more than 60% YoY with more of its devices being powered by self-developed chipsets. • Apple’s shipments declined more than 10% YoY due to strong pressure from local competitors in premium price bands. • China Q1 2024 smartphone market share rankings (based on shipments):
HONOR separated from Huawei in Q4 2020 and its market share does not include Huawei brand family volumes starting Q1 2021.
* OPPO includes OnePlus since Q3 2021.
**Ranking is according to the latest quarter.
*Data on this page is updated every quarter. This data represents the Chinese smartphone market share by quarter (from 2020-2023) by top OEMs.
For detailed insights on the data, please reach out to us at sales(at)counterpointresearch.com. If you are a member of the press, please contact us at press(at)counterpointresearch.com for any media enquiries.
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Author
Team Counterpoint
Counterpoint Research is a global industry and market research firm providing market data, intelligence, thought leadership and consulting across the technology ecosystem. We advise a diverse range of global clients spanning the supply chain – from chipmakers, component suppliers, manufacturers and software and application developers to service providers, channel players and investors. Our veteran team of analysts serve these clients through our offices located across the key innovation hubs, manufacturing clusters and commercial centers globally. Our analysts consistently engage with C-suite through to strategy, market intelligence, supply chain, R&D, product management, marketing, sales and others across the organization. Counterpoint’s key coverage areas: AI, Automotive, Cloud, Connectivity, Consumer Electronics, Displays, eSIM, IoT, Location Platforms, Macroeconomics, Manufacturing, Networks & Infra, Semiconductors, Smartphones and Wearables.
