Huawei has recovered its position as a first smartphones supplier in China for the second quarter of 2025, shipping 12.2 million units between April and June – an increase of 15% in annual shift – and obtaining 18% of the market, according to new data from Canalys.
He marked Huawei’s first return to the top since the first quarter of 2024 and highlights the continuous resurgence of the company after years of backhand due to American sanctions.
Apple also organized a modest return to China, sending 10.1 million iPhones during the quarter, up 4% compared to the same period in 2024. Although the Cupertino -based technology giant has classified fifth in global expeditions, growth signals a reversal of its recent declins in one of its most critical markets, where it has lost ground against Huawei and Local marks like Xiaomi.
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T2 figures, which measure expeditions rather than direct sales, arrive days before Apple’s quarterly release. Apple’s performance in China will be closely monitored, especially since the company faces increasing pressures that are both competitors and political -opposite winds.
The return of Huawei to first place is a strong signal that his smartphone division formerly decried is back in full swing. The company has deployed several competitive smartphones in the past year, aggressively pushing its high -end offers in order to recover Apple market share. More recently, it began to deploy Harmonyos 5 – its self -developed operating system – through its apparatus ecosystem, part of a wider thrust to fully wean American technology.
“This decision should accelerate the expansion of the user base of its independent ecosystem, while imposing more important requests on system compatibility and user experience,” said Lucas Zhong, analyst at Canalys, in a press release.
Huawei’s Harmonyos, positioned as an alternative to Android by Google and IOS from Apple, has become a central pillar of the company’s strategy. Rapid deployment is considered a key step to consolidate user loyalty and control your ecosystem.
Apple’s price strategy is chargeable – for the moment
While Huawei won first place, Apple’s rebound – as small – suggests that its strategy to defend its lawn in China is starting to take effect. The company has made tactical price adjustments to the iPhone 16 series, reducing prices through its own channels and working with Chinese electronic commercial platforms to increase affordability. Trade offers have also been extended, with increased assessments on older iPhones.
This change has helped Apple resume growth in China for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2023, a relief for investors who saw the business action to slip around 14.5% this year, largely due to concerns about its Chinese activities and broader geopolitical tensions.
The American technology giant has also faced Washington increasing pressure. President Donald Trump, who returned to functions in January, has repeatedly threatened to slap prices on Apple products, unless the company moves iPhone production in the United States – a move from industry experts is almost impossible without disturbing global supply chains and increasing costs.
Growing competition and the Chinese factor
The Apple porcelain dilemma is deeper than commercial threats. Local competitors are becoming more and more sophisticated, flooding the smartphone market capable at more affordable prices. Huawei’s rapid recovery is an excellent example, with strong domestic support and a nationalist clientele ready to promote local technology compared to Western brands.
Analysts say that Apple’s narrow growth in T2 is encouraging, but it is far from being a guarantee. The long -term position of the company in China remains fragile while Huawei and other national brands increase innovation, integration of software and the development of ecosystems.
The next quarters should be more competitive and essential to determine whether Apple can remain relevant on the market for increasingly competitive and politically responsible for China smartphones.
