Huawei widens lead in Q3 smartphone market despite memory crisis: Report
Huawei continues to grow in China’s smartphone market in Q3 2026 despite rising memory challenges. The company has achieved the top spot in the latest ranking with the highest market share, while the overall market’s shipments fell by 10% YoY.
In a recent report, Counterpoint Research says Huawei has widened its lead over competitors in the Q3 2026 Chinese smartphone market amid stringent conditions.
The company has captured a 21.3% shipment share in the third quarter of this year. As per the report, Huawei’s pricing stability in early quarters helped it reach the pinnacle regardless of the memory shortages and increase in component prices.
Devices like Enjoy 90 Pro Max, Nova 16, and Mate 80 showed strong sales in the market throughout the year and helped the company gain 19% year-over-year shipment growth in Q3.
Things changed from September 1, when Huawei increased prices for some of its devices. This move is now putting pressure on the company’s smartphone sales.
Besides Huawei, Apple is another brand to maintain its second position in the ranking. It saw a 19% market share following the grand iPhone 18 Pro launch in China.
Counterpoint says:
“Huawei and Apple captured 40% of shipments, widening their lead over rivals and suggesting that a strong premium presence is a market share advantage during the memory crisis.”
(Image Credits: Huawei)
Vivo and OPPO appear in third and fourth positions, respectively, with almost similar market share: 15.2%. Xiaomi ranked fifth with 13.5% YoY growth, while Honor obtained the sixth spot with 12.7%.
Smartphone brands are focusing on offering more price options to consumers. The strategy will somehow help them to manage price perceptions amid higher component costs.
On the other hand, Huawei and Apple have started increasing the price of their devices. Consumers are eventually pulling off from upgrading their handsets, suggesting that Q4 would show even weaker sales in the Chinese phone market.
