The world’s largest smartphone market has shrunk for the first time last year, with shipments down 4 per cent to 459 million units in 2017, according to research firm Canalys.
China’s consumers bought fewer smartphones last year, the first time that the world’s biggest market has shrunk and a harbinger of more intense competition as handset makers fight for sales in a saturated market.
Smartphone shipments fell 4 per cent to 459 million units in 2017, dragged down by a weak fourth quarter, according to Canalys, the industry research firm. Huawei Technologies maintained its No. 1 ranking, with Oppo and Vivo coming in second and third, respectively, while Apple overtook Xiaomi to take fourth place.