China sees first ever annual decline in smartphone shipments

China saw its first-ever annual decline in smartphone shipments in 2017. The market fell 4 percent year-on-year to 459 million units. This drop was partly due to China having one of its worst year-on-year performances in the fourth quarter of 2017, with shipments plunging by more than 14 percent to just under 113 million units, according to a report from Canalys. The report also indicates that Huawei shipments jumped 9 percent against the overall market decline, shipping more than 24 million smartphones and staying on top.

Shipments fell for both Oppo and Vivo, by 16 percent and 7 percent respectively, but they held onto their respective second- and third-place positions. Oppo shipped 19 million smartphones, while Vivo sold 17 million. Apple overtook Xiaomi to take fourth place, pushing Xiaomi back to fifth with 13 million units.

The study also found that Huawei had its best ever quarter in its home market, shipping more than 24 million smartphones in the fourth quarter of 2017, to reach a total of 90 million in 2017. Despite the decline in the fourth quarter of 2017, Oppo and Vivo both saw double-digit annual growth in 2017.