Chinese Smartphones Erode iPhone and Samsung's Market Share

The Chinese smartphone market share showed growth in Q4 2016, while iPhone and Samsung market shares declined. Although iPhone and Samsung saw increases in unit sales, their market share was eroded by Chinese smartphone manufacturers.

According to IDC data, iPhone sales in Q4 2016 increased by 4.7 percent to 78.3 million units, but its market share fell to 18.3 percent from Q4 2015. Samsung sales in Q4 2016 decreased by 5.2 percent to 77.5 million units, and its market share also dropped to 18.1 percent in Q4 2016 compared to Q4 2015.

Chinese smartphones such as Huawei, Oppo, and Vivo recorded increases in both sales and market share in the global market. Oppo smartphone sales in Q4 2016 surged by 116.6 percent compared to Q4 2015, and its market share doubled to 7.3 percent. Vivo sales doubled in Q4 2016, and its market share nearly doubled to 5.8 percent compared to Q4 2015. Huawei sales also increased by 38.6 percent in Q4 2016, and its market share rose to 10.6 percent compared to Q4 2015.