The Chinese mobile phone market is the largest in the world followed by India and the U.S. is third. Interestingly, these three markets have very different trends and needs. China is just complex, whether it is a flagship, mid-range or entry-level mobile phone, it sells well in China. This is unlike the U.S. which appears to favour the flagship market or India which loves the mid-range and entry-level market. Before the ban on Huawei in early 2019, the company was set to become the largest mobile phone brand in the world.
After the ban, it still overtook Apple to the number one spot but it couldn’t retain it for long. The reason for this is the U.S. ban of course. At the moment, outside China, Huawei mobile phones are almost non-existent. A common question that people often ask is which brand of mobile phone do Chinese people like to buy most?
GoldenTen recently released some sales statistics between 2018 and 2022. Excerpts from the report reveal that Apple does not have any grip on China as it does with the U.S. Also, contrary to popular opinion, the ban on Huawei affected its mobile phone business in China.
From 2018 to 2022, if Huawei and Honor are counted, then Huawei is the real king. It has a total shipment of 372.62 million units. In terms of market share, Huawei is the absolute king in 2019, with a share of 38%, while Apple at that time had only 9%. After the ban, in 2020, Huawei’s share dropped sharply. But there are projections that the company will rebound by 2022.
Which brand is doing well in China?
So, if Huawei is not doing so well in China and Apple is not either, who is? Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi are the new “golden boys” in the Chinese mobile phone market. From 2020 to 2022, Vivo has been ranking first in the Chinese mobile phone market in terms of shipment. OPPO and Xiaomi follow closely, with total shipments of 313.51 million units and 217.75 million units in the five years. As for Apple, the total shipments are 203.7 million units, of which the shipments will peak in 2021 at 50.38 million units.
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So, it will be very interesting to see what happens in 2023. Can Huawei continue to increase its share? Can Vivo remain number one? How will OPPO, Xiaomi and Apple fight back? These are questions that will have answers at the end of the year.
Overview of the Chinese mobile phone market
China is the world’s largest mobile phone market with more than 1 billion users. The Chinese mobile phone market is dominated by local brands. It has brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and Lenovo. These brands collectively account for more than 80% of the market share. However, international brands such as Apple and Samsung also have a significant presence in the market.
In recent years, Chinese mobile phone brands have gained a strong reputation for offering high-quality products at relatively affordable prices. This has led to increased competition between brands and the introduction of new features and innovations.
The Chinese mobile phone market is also known for its strong focus on e-commerce, with online platforms such as Alibaba’s Tmall and JD.com accounting for a significant portion of sales. In addition, Chinese consumers are increasingly interested in smartphones with advanced features such as 5G connectivity, high-resolution cameras, and longer battery life.
The Chinese mobile phone market is highly competitive and rapidly evolving, with local brands continuing to dominate while international brands work to establish a foothold in the market. China is one of the first countries to roll out 5G networks, and there is a growing demand for 5G-enabled mobile phones. In fact, it is estimated that more than half of all mobile phones sold in China in 2021 will be 5G-enabled. While local brands dominate the Chinese mobile phone market, there are also a number of emerging brands such as Realme, Poco, and Honor that are gaining popularity among Chinese consumers.
