Smartphone market hits lowest levels since 2013 in China

The Chinese smartphone market has reached its lowest shipment volume since 2013, with total units falling to 59.3 million in the third quarter of 2026. This 12% contraction has impacted most manufacturers, though Huawei maintains leadership in the region with a 21% market share.

In contrast to the general market decline, Apple has shown resilience, recording a 15% growth in China. Analysts from GF Securities project that Apple could see its global market share rise to 24% by 2026, even as the overall global market is expected to contract by over 14% due to rising component and memory costs.

However, industry leaders face production challenges. Apple has reportedly reduced component orders for certain high-end models due to weaker-than-expected demand. Similarly, Samsung has faced pressure from rising hardware costs, which may impact the profitability of its mobile division.