According to the most recent Canalys data, the decline in China's smartphone market slowed further in the fourth quarter of 2023, with total shipments reaching 73.9 million units, or a 1% year-on-year drop.
Apple, which supplied China with 17.5 million smartphones during the fourth quarter, dominated the market, according to Canalys. With an adequate supply of the new iPhone 15 series, Apple's shipments grew 6% year on year.
Honor came in second, with a 16% market share and 11.7 million handsets shipped. Vivo shipped 11.3 million units, meanwhile, rising to third place. Huawei entered the top five and ranked fourth, shipping 10.4 million devices, representing a 47% year-on-year surge thanks to its flagship new models, Canalys said.
In 2023, Apple took the lead in annual shipments in the Chinese market for the first time, with a slight year-on-year increase of 1%, according to Canalys. Its annual market share climbed to 19%.
Vivo, Oppo, and Honor competed closely, each garnering a 16% market share with annual shipments of 44.5 million, 43.9 million, and 43.6 million units, Canalys said. Xiaomi ranked fifth in the annual market, with a 13% share.
Huawei, ranked sixth, had its full-year market share rise from 8% in 2022 to 12% in 2023, representing a 48% increase year on year, Canalys indicated.
"Huawei has become the biggest dark horse this quarter, returning to the top five league table of Mainland China's smartphone market after 10 quarters," said Lucas Zhong, a research analyst at Canalys. "The Mate 60 Pro, with its in-house Kirin chip and innovative features such as satellite calling, has become the leading model driving Huawei's shipment recovery. In addition, from January 2024, Huawei has extended the Kirin chip to the Nova series, which will also help to drive more demand in the mid-end market in the future."
"Looking forward to 2024, the Chinese smartphone market is expected to enter a path of moderate recovery, supported by channel profitability and exciting new products," stated Amber Liu, research manager at Canalys. "At the same time, Huawei's growing presence will intensify market competition and fuel innovation."
