Science & Tech · Gadgets & EVs · 2 hrs ago
China smartphone shipments fell 15.4% as Huawei led the market
China's smartphone shipments fell 15.4% year on year in the third quarter of 2026, to 57.9 million phones.
Huawei led the market with 12.2 million shipments and about 21% of sales, and was the only major vendor to record double-digit annual growth.
Apple ranked second with a 17.8% share, while its shipments fell 4.3%; shipments also declined at OPPO, vivo and Xiaomi.
Rising memory and component costs pushed up phone prices, according to IDC, and buyers took longer to replace their phones.
Huawei benefited from a wide range of models and relatively modest price increases.
The figures show a sharply weaker market, while Honor was the only leading brand to ship more phones than in the previous quarter.
China’s smartphone shipments fell 15.4% year on year to 57.9 million units in the third quarter of 2026, according to preliminary IDC data.
Huawei led the market, shipping 12.2 million phones and taking about 21% share.
Huawei was the only major vendor to record double-digit annual shipment growth.
Apple ranked second with a 17.8% share, while its shipments declined 4.3%.
IDC attributed the slowdown to higher memory and component costs, which pushed up retail prices and lengthened replacement cycles.
- Who
- Smartphone vendors in China, led by Huawei.
- What
- Shipments fell 15.4% year on year to 57.9 million units.
- When
- The third quarter of 2026. Preliminary data was released on October 13.
- Where
- China.
- Why
- IDC attributed the slowdown to rising memory and component costs, which pushed up retail prices and lengthened replacement cycles.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Total shipments
- 57.9 million units in the third quarter of 2026
- Annual shipment change
- Down 15.4%
- Huawei shipments
- 12.2 million phones
- Huawei market share
- About 21%
- Apple market share
- 17.8%
Sources
Related news
Fiat unveils concept that switches from six-seat car to pickup
Google launches Fitbit Edge with GPS, health tracking and replaceable battery
TDK demonstrates retinal-projection smart glasses at CEATEC
Subaru Trailseeker handles rough terrain but has limited ground clearance
Nothing OS 5.0 with Android 17 starts rolling out to Phone (3)
Musk says Tesla robotaxis will add technology to avoid animals at night
Citroën unveils electric 2CV concept, with production planned for 2028
Leak details Samsung Galaxy Glasses designs and reported specifications
Oppo schedules global unveiling of Android 17-based ColorOS 17
Apple routes heat through the iPhone Duo’s hinge
OnePlus 16 launches in China with 9,000mAh battery and gaming-focused display
