Beijing — February 7, 2026

China’s Mobile Industry Captures Record 55% Global Smartphone Market Share in 2025, Intensifying Tech Rivalry with West

BEIJING — Leading Chinese smartphone manufacturers Huawei, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, and Honor collectively shipped 775 million units worldwide in 2025, securing a record 55% share of the global market, according to data released today by market research firm Canalys. This surge, reported from Beijing where industry leaders gathered for the China Mobile World Congress, marks the first time non-Western firms have dominated more than half of annual shipments. The milestone underscores China’s aggressive push in AI-integrated devices, foldable screens, and affordable 6G-ready hardware amid ongoing U.S. export restrictions.

Huawei alone reclaimed the top spot with 235 million units shipped, a 28% year-on-year increase, driven by its HarmonyOS ecosystem and domestic chip advancements. The achievement comes as global demand rebounds post-pandemic, with China’s exports rising 42% to $450 billion. Analysts attribute the dominance to state-backed R&D investments exceeding $100 billion annually, positioning Beijing as the epicenter of mobile innovation and challenging Samsung and Apple, which saw their combined share drop to 38%.

This development matters profoundly for global supply chains, as Chinese firms now control key patents in 5G and emerging 6G standards, potentially reshaping international trade dynamics and escalating geopolitical tensions over technology supremacy.

Context & Background

China’s mobile industry has evolved from a low-cost manufacturing hub in the early 2000s to a global powerhouse by the mid-2020s. The sector’s roots trace back to 2003 when the government launched the “Made in China 2025” initiative, prioritizing semiconductors, AI, and telecommunications. This policy injected billions into domestic firms, fostering self-reliance after U.S. sanctions in 2019 crippled Huawei’s access to Google services and advanced chips.

By 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese brands capitalized on remote work trends, shipping budget 5G phones that undercut competitors. Huawei’s pivot to HarmonyOS in 2021, now powering over 900 million devices, insulated it from Android restrictions. State support via the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) included $50 billion in subsidies for R&D between 2022 and 2025, enabling breakthroughs like HiSilicon’s 7nm Kirin chips despite export bans.

The industry’s export focus intensified post-2022, with free trade zones in Shenzhen and Shanghai streamlining $300 billion in annual shipments. This backdrop set the stage for 2025’s dominance, as global inflation favored China’s value-driven devices over premium Western models.

Key Developments

Canalys data shows Chinese brands shipped 775 million smartphones in 2025, up 15% from 2024’s 672 million, while total global shipments reached 1.41 billion units. Huawei led with 235 million units (16.6% share), followed by Xiaomi at 210 million (14.9%), Vivo at 170 million (12%), Oppo at 140 million (9.9%), and Honor at 100 million (7.1%). Samsung and Apple trailed with 190 million and 160 million units, respectively.

Innovation drove growth: Huawei’s Mate 70 series, launched in November 2025, featured AI-driven cameras and 6G modems, selling 45 million units. Xiaomi’s 15 Ultra model integrated satellite connectivity, capturing 30% of India’s market. Foldables exploded, with Chinese firms shipping 65 million units—half the global total—thanks to BOE and CSOT display panels costing 40% less than Samsung’s.

Supply chain resilience was key. Despite U.S. Entity List restrictions, SMIC produced 5nm chips for 70% of high-end Chinese phones. Exports to Europe rose 35% to 250 million units, while Africa and Southeast Asia absorbed 300 million, per Chinese Customs data. Domestic sales hit 420 million, bolstered by 5G penetration at 95% nationwide.

At the China Mobile World Congress in Beijing this week, firms unveiled 6G prototypes: Huawei’s test device achieved 1Tbps speeds, Oppo demonstrated terahertz bands. MIIT approved standards for commercial 6G trials by 2028, with $20 billion allocated.

Patent filings surged: Chinese entities hold 45% of global 5G patents and 52% of 6G declarations at ETSI, per IPlytics. Revenue reached $620 billion, with profit margins averaging 12% versus Apple’s 25% but scaling through volume.

Reactions & Quotes

Chinese officials hailed the milestone as validation of self-reliance. “This achievement demonstrates China’s unstoppable momentum in core technologies, securing national security and global leadership,” MIIT Minister Jin Zhuanglong stated during the Congress keynote.

“Huawei’s return to the top is a triumph of innovation over adversity. HarmonyOS will power the intelligent era,” Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei said in a prerecorded video, referencing the firm’s $23 billion R&D spend in 2025.

“The data reflects superior supply chain efficiency and consumer preference for feature-rich, affordable devices,” — Lei Jun, Xiaomi CEO.

Western analysts expressed concern. “China’s dominance risks fragmenting global standards and escalating trade barriers,” said Neil Shah, Vice President at Counterpoint Research. Samsung declined comment, but Apple CEO Tim Cook noted in January earnings: “Competition drives excellence, but fair access to markets is essential.”

U.S. officials reacted swiftly. “We will continue protecting American IP from unfair practices,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo tweeted. IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo added: “Chinese brands excel in emerging markets, but premium segments remain contested.”

Consumers and partners praised affordability. “Vivo’s Y-series changed my business in Kenya,” said Nairobi retailer Aisha Mwangi.

Implications & Analysis

For consumers worldwide, this shift means greater access to advanced features at lower prices—average Chinese smartphones cost $250 versus $600 for rivals—accelerating digital inclusion in developing regions. However, it heightens dependency on Chinese hardware, raising cybersecurity concerns in Europe and the U.S., where bans on Huawei gear persist.

Geopolitically, the 55% share amplifies U.S.-China friction. Washington may impose broader chip curbs, potentially slowing global 6G rollout. Beijing’s patent lead could force licensing fees on Western firms, mirroring Qualcomm’s past model but at scale.

Industry-wide, Samsung and Apple face margin pressure, prompting investments in foldables and AI. TSMC’s capacity strain benefits SMIC, but escalates Taiwan risks. Long-term, a bifurcated ecosystem—HarmonyOS versus Android/iOS—may emerge, complicating app development and data flows.

Economically, China’s $450 billion exports bolster its trade surplus to $900 billion, funding further tech ambitions. Stakeholders in supply chains, from Foxconn workers to Qualcomm suppliers, must adapt. Analysts forecast Chinese share hitting 60% by 2028 if 6G trials succeed, redefining mobile as a Chinese-led domain.

Environmental implications include faster e-waste from affordable upgrades, though Chinese firms lead in recycled materials, per Greenpeace reports.

Timeline

• 2003: China launches “863 Program” for high-tech R&D, seeding mobile innovations.
• 2019: U.S. adds Huawei to Entity List, spurring domestic chip development.
• 2021: Huawei releases HarmonyOS, adopted by 100 million devices by year-end.
• 2023: Chinese brands surpass 40% global share for first time, per IDC.
• 2024: SMIC achieves 5nm production; foldable shipments double to 40 million.
• Q4 2025: Huawei Mate 70 launch propels quarterly shipments to 210 million units.
• Today, February 7, 2026: Canalys reports record 55% annual share; 6G prototypes unveiled at Congress.

As China’s mobile sector cements its lead, the world braces for a redefined tech landscape where innovation, affordability, and geopolitics converge. With 6G on the horizon and exports surging, Beijing’s firms are poised to shape the next decade of connectivity, compelling rivals to innovate faster while policymakers navigate rising stakes.