China’s smartphone market saw a slight dip in Q2 2025, with shipments falling by 4% compared to the same period last year, according to the latest report from Canalys.
Despite the decline, the Chinese market remains strong and is expected to outperform the global smartphone market in overall 2025 performance.
Huawei Leads with HarmonyOS-Powered Success
In a notable comeback, Huawei reclaimed its position as the leading smartphone vendor in China during the second quarter.
The tech giant shipped 12.2 million smartphones, capturing an 18% market share, marking a significant 15% year-over-year growth. A key contributor to this performance was the successful launch of the Nova 14 series, powered by HarmonyOS 5.0, which received strong market reception.
Vivo, Oppo, Xiaomi, and Apple Follow Closely
Vivo came in second, shipping 11.8 million units and securing a 17% share. Its market strategy involved staggered releases of the X200, S30, and Y300 series, helping it maintain its position.
Oppo, which includes shipments under the OnePlus brand, ranked third with 10.7 million devices sold, accounting for a 16% share of the market.
Xiaomi and Apple followed closely with 10.4 million and 10.1 million shipments, respectively. Each brand held a 15% share, tying for fourth and fifth positions.
Canalys analysts cautioned that smartphone vendors might face headwinds in the upcoming quarters. Much of the demand in the first half of 2025 was boosted by a government-backed subsidy program, which has now concluded. Maintaining sales momentum in the second half of the year will require fresh innovations and competitive pricing strategies.
While China’s smartphone market experienced a modest decline, Huawei’s return to the top spot signals strong domestic competition. With other top brands like Vivo, Oppo, Xiaomi, and Apple maintaining a tight race, the second half of 2025 will be critical for sustaining growth in an evolving and highly competitive landscape.