High-end OEMs led new smartphone shipments in China in 1Q26
According to data from Counterpoint Research, smartphone shipments in China declined by 4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026. Rising memory prices and component costs drove up retail prices, significantly impacting shipments of low-end models. However, high-end smartphones showed resilience—Huawei, ranked top in market share, led the way thanks to its domestic supply chain advantages and stable pricing, while Apple, as the runner up, had the strongest growth among the top six brands and is widely considered the brand most advantageous in coping with rising storage prices—Huawei and Apple's shipments increased by 2% and 20% year-on-year, respectively, securing 20% and 19% market share. Furthermore, brand manufacturers are driving replacement demand through breakthrough imaging hardware, foldable screens, and AI-powered intelligent agents.