Xiaomi edges past Apple in China’s Q2 smartphone sales, as local brands extend lead

China’s home-grown brands continue to gain ground in the world’s largest smartphone market, pushing aside Apple and Samsung Electronics with their offerings of sophisticated models at reasonable prices.

Huawei Technologies, the world's largest telecommunication equipment manufacturer, shipped 23 million smartphones in China in the three months ended June, becoming the country’s best-selling brand for the second quarter in a row, according to Canalys.

Its P10 smartphone, sporting high-resolution cameras made with Leica, was a bestseller among China’s selfie-loving users, boosting its market share to 20.2 per cent, from 16.9 per cent, according to data from Counterpoint.

Oppo, made by entrepreneur Duan Yongping’s Guangdong Oppo Electronics, shipped 21 million units to secure second place, expanding its market share to 18.8 per cent from 16 per cent.

Vivo, a sibling brand also made by Duan, shipped 16 million units, increasing its market share to 17 per cent, from 13.2 per cent, according to estmates from the two research firms.

Xiaomi was the standout performer in the second quarter, as its direct-to-customer sales method and new models boosted sales by more than 60 per cent, helping it ship 15 million handsets in fourth place.

The improved performance is a vital step in fulfilling Xiaomi founder Lei Jun's target of shipping 100 million smartphones annually by 2018.