Emir BardakçıThe third quarter of 2025 has seen challenges in the Chinese smartphone market, with the cumulative number of shipments standing at 68.46 million, indicating a slight decline of 0.5% from the same period last year. According to the recent report by International Data Corporation, the main reason for the same can be linked to fewer product launches, lower government subsidies, and consumers’ buying behaviors, which have become somewhat conservative. Despite the effect brought about by the launching of flagship products in the last week of September, the effect on the third quarter is slight.
The Market is Dominated by Vivo, Apple, Huawei
Regarding the market share, the three leading brands that surfaced in the highly competitive markets, including the Chinese markets, are Vivo, Apple, and Huawei.
- Vivo topped the list with the highest number of units shipped, with 17.2% market share, shipping 11.8 million units. However, its shipment declined by
- Apple followed with 10.8 million units, gaining a 15.8% market share. Year-over-year, the growth rate from Apple was slight, with only 0.6% growth in units shipped.
- Huawei: shipped 10.4 million units, with a share of 15.2%, showing small, 1% less than last year growth.
Xiaomi Experiences A Minor Decrease In Shipments
Xiaomi, which once dominated the smartphone market in China, reported a 1.7% decline in shipments in the third quarter of 2025, with 10 million units shipped, which accounted for 14.7% of the total market share. Although fewer than its rivals, the decline reflects the challenges the company is facing with the current slowing down of the market coupled with the level of competitiveness in the market.
OPPO & Honor Display Bravery
Other brands, including OPPO and Honor, also demonstrated toughness in the market. OPPO shipped 9.9 million units, taking a 14.5% share with only a 0.4% growth in shipments annually, while Honor also shipped 9.9 million units, taking the same 14.4% market share with only a 1.5% slump in shipments annually.
The Outlook for the Next Quarter
Meanwhile, with the upcoming quarter, some growth is also being anticipated due to the launching of flagship products as well as promotional sales, such as the “Double Eleven” promotion, according to the forecast from IDC. However, with the demands already met in the early part of the current year, the effect will be only marginal, if any.
