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Huawei and Xiaomi Lead China's Smartphone Market in Q1 2025, Apple Falls to Third Place
In the first quarter of 2025, China's smartphone market experienced a notable shift, with Huawei and Xiaomi emerging as the leading brands, while Apple slipped to third place. This development underscores the dynamic nature of the Chinese mobile industry and the growing influence of domestic manufacturers.
According to data from Counterpoint Research, Huawei captured 19% of the market share in Q1 2025, marking a 2% increase from the previous quarter. Xiaomi matched this performance with its own 19% share, reflecting a 3% growth compared to the last quarter.
Apple, previously holding a 17% share, saw a decline to 15%, positioning it behind both Huawei and Xiaomi. Analysts attribute this downturn to the structure of China's government subsidy program, which offers discounts on devices priced below 6,000 yuan (approximately $820). Many of Apple's premium models exceed this price threshold, making them ineligible for the subsidies and less attractive to cost-conscious consumers.
Other notable players in the market include Oppo, which secured a 15% share with a 1% growth, and Vivo, which experienced a 4% decline, dropping from 18% to 14%. Honor held a 13% share, placing it sixth among the top brands.
The overall smartphone market in China grew by 5% year-on-year in Q1 2025, partly driven by the government's subsidy initiative aimed at stimulating consumer spending. However, this growth was tempered by a post-holiday decline in demand, resulting in a less robust market expansion than some analysts had anticipated.
Conclusion
The first quarter of 2025 highlights the competitive landscape of China's smartphone market, with Huawei and Xiaomi leading the charge and Apple facing challenges due to pricing strategies and subsidy structures. As domestic brands continue to innovate and align with consumer preferences, the market dynamics are poised for further evolution in the coming quarters.
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