Huawei has returned to the number one position in China’s smartphone market for the full year 2025, according to recent data from International Data Corporation (IDC). This marks the first time the company has held the annual lead since 2020.
The shift follows a period of recovery for Huawei after facing US sanctions that limited its access to advanced components. The company shipped 46.7 million units in China throughout 2025, securing a 16.4% market share. Apple came in close second with 46.2 million units shipped and a 16.2% share — a gap of only 0.2 percentage points.
This narrow margin highlights the strong competition between the two brands in the world’s largest smartphone market.
Key Market Details
China’s overall smartphone shipments reached about 285 million units in 2025, down 0.6% from the previous year. Factors like higher component costs and longer replacement cycles contributed to the slight drop.
Huawei’s performance stood out despite a 1.9% decline in its own shipments year-over-year. Analysts point to steady improvements in the company’s in-house Kirin chip production as a main factor behind the sustained momentum.
Apple, on the other hand, recorded 4% growth in shipments, supported by demand for the iPhone 17 series.
Vivo ranked third with 46.1 million units. Other brands like Xiaomi and Oppo followed, while Honor dropped out of the top five for the year.
What Drove Huawei’s Comeback
Huawei’s lineup in the premium segment played a big role. Series such as Mate and Pura helped the brand regain ground, along with its return to full 5G support and greater reliance on domestic chips.
The intense race at the top shows how premium branding holds up in a tough environment.
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