Huawei Technologies has overtaken Apple Inc and claimed the 2nd world biggest smartphone company after Samsung at the top of the market. The networking giant appears to have shrugged off a barrage of accusations that it aids Chinese espionage.
Outside of China, Huawei’s increasing brand recognition newly allowing it to compete at the top end, but the Chinese market remains key for Huawei as it has come under fire from the US, Australia and other nations over concerns it could facilitate Chinese government spying.
Huawei has denied it facilitates spying and has said it is a private company not under Chinese government control and not subject to Chinese security laws overseas.
Huawei’s been steadily gaining on Apple and Samsung Electronics Co. with an increasingly high-end line-up of devices, particularly in its home market of China.
Apple. the iPhone maker this week projected quarterly sales that topped analysts’ estimates, suggesting demand for iPhones has stabilized after a disappointing holiday period.
Samsung also enjoyed a spike compared with the fourth quarter thanks to the launch of the marquee S10 range in February.
“The overall smartphone market continues to be challenged in almost all areas, yet Huawei was able to grow shipments by 50%,” said Ryan Reith, program vice president with IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers.
“This new ranking of Samsung, Huawei, and Apple is very likely what we’ll see when 2019 is all said and done.”
Huawei raced into the second spot selling 54.2m phones in the quarter, up 41%, for a 15% share of the market. Apple sold 41.3m iPhones, up 1%, for a 12% market share.
“The continued growth of Huawei is impressive, to say the least, as is its ability to move into markets where, until recently, the brand was largely unknown,” said Ryan Reith, programme vice president of IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Device Tracker.
