Strategy Analytics: China Smartphone Shipments Hit a Record 438 Million Units in 2015

BOSTON, Jan. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, China smartphone shipments grew 3 percent annually to hit a record 438 million units in 2015. Xiaomi maintained first position and captured 15 percent smartphone marketshare in China last year.
2015_Xiaomi_Phone





Linda Sui, Director at Strategy Analytics, said, “China smartphone shipments declined 4 percent annually from 123.0 million units in Q4 2014 to 117.9 million in Q4 2015. China smartphone growth is slowing due to market saturation, inventory build and economic headwinds. However, for the full year, China smartphone shipments grew 3 percent annually from 423.6 million units in 2014 to a record 437.8 million in 2015.”

Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “Huawei shipped 17.9 million smartphones for the number one spot inChina in Q4 2015, growing 50 percent annually from 11.9 million units in Q4 2014. Huawei has been growing rapidly in China due to extensive distribution channels and popular Android models like the Honor 7. However, there are signs that Huawei’s growth is now starting to slow. Its annual growth rate of 50 percent declined sequentially from 73 percent in the prior quarter, as several major rivals like Apple and Xiaomi are fighting back. Xiaomi shipped 17.5 million smartphones and captured 15 percent marketshare in China in Q4 2015, up 11 percent annually. For the full year, Xiaomi shipped 67.5 million smartphones to claim the top position in 2015, just staying ahead of Huawei with 62.2 million units. Xiaomi offers several popular Android models in China, such as the Redmi 2A.”

Woody Oh, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “Apple had a strong quarter in China, shipping a record 15.5 million iPhones in Q4 2015. Apple solidified third position in China with 13 percent marketshare, up from 11 percent one year ago. Apple has worked hard to extend its retailer coverage across China, while Apple Music and other localized services have refreshed the iOS ecosystem for Chinese consumers.”

Linda Sui, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “Vivo held on to fourth position with 10 percent smartphone marketshare in Chinaduring Q4 2015, while its shipment growth rate expanded a healthy 20 percent annually. Another Chinese brand, OPPO, pushed into the top-five China rankings for the first time ever, with 10.8 million smartphones shipped and 9 percent marketshare in Q4 2015. The success of Vivo and OPPO lies in good hardware designs, robust product quality, strong retailer penetration, and rising brand awareness among mass-market consumers.”

 

Exhibit 1: China Smartphone Vendor Shipments and Marketshare in Q4 2015  [1]

China Smartphone Vendor Shipments (Millions of Units)

Q4 ’14

2014

Q4 ’15

2015

Xiaomi

15.7

57.8

17.5

67.5

Huawei

11.9

41.3

17.9

62.2

Apple

13.4

31.1

15.5

49.5

Vivo

9.8

24.1

11.8

36.7

OPPO

9.6

22.3

10.8

33.2

Others

62.6

247.0

44.4

188.7

Total

123.0

423.6

117.9

437.8

China Smartphone Vendor Marketshare (%)

Q4 ’14

2014

Q4 ’15

2015

Xiaomi

12.8%

13.6%

14.8%

15.4%

Huawei

9.7%

9.7%

15.2%

14.2%

Apple

10.9%

7.3%

13.1%

11.3%

Vivo

8.0%

5.7%

10.0%

8.4%

OPPO

7.8%

5.3%

9.2%

7.6%

Others

50.9%

58.3%

37.7%

43.1%

Total

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

Total Growth: Year-over-Year (%)

34.7%

33.6%

-4.1%

3.4%

Source: Strategy Analytics

 

The full report, China Smartphone Shipments Vendor and OS Market Share: Q4 2015, is published by the Strategy Analytics Handset Country Share Tracker (HCST) service, details of which can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/z2nhczr.

About Strategy Analytics:

Strategy Analytics is a global, independent research and consulting firm. The company is headquartered in Boston, USA, with offices in the UK, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India and China. Visit www.strategyanalytics.com for more information.

Americas Contact:
Linda Sui / +1 617 614 0735 / [email protected]

EMEA Contact:
Neil Mawston / +44 1908 423 628 / [email protected]

Asia Contact:
Woody Oh / +44 1908 423 665 / [email protected]

[1]  Numbers are rounded.