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Chinese Smartphone Vendors Maintain Leading Positions despite Apple's Strong Performance in 4Q 2014: MIC
April 10, 2015

Chinese smartphone vendors, Xiaomi, Huawei, and Lenovo, managed to keep their footing in the fourth-quarter smartphone market share, despite Apple making a great leap forward to reach 9.3% with brisk sales of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, according to MIC (Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute), a Taipei-based ICT research institute.

China's Smartphone Market Volume, 1Q 2013 – 4Q 2014

Source: Respective companies, compiled by MIC, April 2015

"Apple’s fourth-quarter market share jumped to 9.3% from 4.4% in the third quarter of 2014. This is mainly because the big screen iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus cater to the Chinese consumers' preferences," said MIC. "Besides, it’s the first time that three operators in China simultaneously launched the latest iPhones. In particular, the cooperation with China Mobile – the largest telecom operator in China – has significantly boosted iPhone sales."

Still Apple continues to face competition from local vendors, such as Xiaomi, Huawei and Lenovo, who still keep their leading positions in the Chinese smartphone market. Most notably, Xiaomi gobbled up 16.2% of the market in the fourth quarter of 2014. Using online community to interact and cultivate a huge number of fans, Xiaomi reduced marketing expenses and catered to the shopping preferences of young Chinese. Riding on the rapid growth trajectory, Xiaomi vows to sell 100 million smartphones this year – a staggering 67% growth year-on-year. Not just a local champion, Xiaomi is now the top five smartphone vendors (in terms of shipments) in the world.

To see more about this report, please visit: Chinese Smartphone Market Development, 1Q 2015

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About MIC

Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute (MIC), based in Taipei, Taiwan, was founded in 1987. MIC is Taiwan's premier IT industry research and consulting firm providing intelligence, in-depth analysis, and strategic consulting services on global IT product and technology trends, focusing on markets and industries in Asia-Pacific. MIC is part of the Institute for Information Industry. https://mic.iii.org.tw/english