China Smartphone Sales Fall 23% YoY in Jan on High Base; Huawei Leads, Apple Posts Growth
- China’s smartphone sales declined 23% YoY in January 2026, largely due to a high base last year and a shift in Lunar New Year promotions timing.
- Huawei took the top position with a 19% market share, driven by the Mate 80 as its top-selling model, supported by the national subsidy.
- Driven by the continuously strong traction for the iPhone 17 series, Apple stood out as the only major brand to achieve YoY growth. Its market share reached the highest January level in the past five years.
Beijing, Boston, Fort Collins, Hong Kong, London, New Delhi, Seoul, Shenzhen, Shanghai Taipei, Tokyo – Feb 12, 2026
China’s smartphone sales fell 23% YoY in January 2026, according to Counterpoint Research’s China Weekly Smartphone Sell-Out Tracker. Chinese brands saw double-digit YoY declines, primarily due to a high base from subsidy-fueled demand in early 2025 and a shift in the timing of the Lunar New Year.
Last year, the subsidy launched on January 20 coincided with the Lunar New Year promotion period, pulling demand forward and creating an exceptionally high base, while Apple was less affected as most of its models were not eligible for the subsidy. This year, lower subsidy intensity and weakening stimulus amid subdued consumer sentiment have limited demand recovery.
Huawei retained the leading position in January with a 19% market share, despite a 27% YoY decline in sales. The Nova series underperformed compared to last year, while the base Mate 80 model was Huawei’s top-selling model in January. Leveraging the subsidy period, Huawei intensified its trade-in promotions by offering the highest evaluated trade-in prices across different recycling platforms, combined with an additional 20% official upgrade subsidy for new device purchases. These measures helped the brand maintain its overall sales level to some extent.
China Smartphone Sales by OEM Share and Growth, Jan 2025 vs Jan 2026
Source: Counterpoint Research’s China Smartphone Sales Weekly Tracker
Notes: OPPO includes OnePlus and realme; Xiaomi includes Redmi; vivo includes iQOO
Figures may not add up to 100% due to rounding; Numbers are preliminary and may change during finalization.
Apple stood out as the only major brand to achieve YoY growth and its market share reached the highest January level in the past five years, with the iPhone 17 series sustaining strong momentum. The iPhone 17 base version now qualifies for government subsidies, boosting its value-for-money appeal and driving a 9% MoM sales increase. Price cuts for the iPhone 17 series have been relatively modest so far, leaving room for further price adjustments or margin optimization ahead of the next-generation launch to support lifecycle sales.
Other brands have yet to officially enter the promotional season. The market is still facing weak demand, despite the availability of subsidies. We expect a more noticeable sales uptick in February, driven by seasonal buying behavior around the Lunar New Year, historically one of the peak periods for smartphone purchases in China.
About Counterpoint Research
Counterpoint Research is a global market research firm specializing in products across the technology ecosystem. We advise a diverse range of clients – from smartphone OEMs to chipmakers and channel players to Big Tech – through our offices located in the world's major innovation hubs, manufacturing clusters and commercial centers. Our analyst team, led by seasoned experts, engages with stakeholders across the enterprise – from the C-suite to professionals in strategy, analyst relations (AR), market intelligence (MI), business intelligence (BI), product and marketing – to deliver services spanning market data, industry thought leadership and consulting. Our core areas of coverage include AI, Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Displays, eSIM, IoT, Location Platforms, Macroeconomics, Manufacturing, Networks and Infrastructure, Semiconductors, Smartphones and Wearables. Visit our Insights page to explore our publicly available market data, insights and thought leadership, and to understand our focus, meet our analysts and start a conversation.
Follow Counterpoint Research
Receive our insightful weekly newsletter and stay ahead of the competition.
Author
Ivan Lam
Ivan is a Senior Research Analyst at Counterpoint Research, based in Hong Kong. He has more than 15 years of experience, with a major focus on mobile and network devices. He has spent years in Southeast Asia markets working in business development, brand management, and channel management. In addition to his expertise in Southeast Asia, he is also well connected with the ODM and OEM sectors. Prior to joining Counterpoint Research, Ivan served at TCL Communication, KaiOS Technologies Inc., and Wiko Mobile, mainly leading business development, go-to-market strategy, and strategic planning. Ivan holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.