Apple NASDAQ:AAPL and Huawei gained more ground in China's smartphone market during the second quarter as buyers continued to favor premium devices despite weaker overall demand.
Apple and Huawei were the only major smartphone makers to post shipment growth from a year earlier. Both companies saw shipments rise about 20%, while China's overall smartphone market declined 4.3%.
IDC said higher memory chip costs have lifted prices for many Android phones. That has made consumers more cautious about upgrading. Many buyers either delayed purchases or chose premium models instead. Samsung Electronics (SSNLF) and several other Android vendors lost ground during the quarter.
In the first half of 2026, China shipped approximately 134 million smartphones, decreasing by 4.2% from a year ago. Apple also enjoyed solid demand for its higher-end iPhones, and Huawei was driving solid momentum in the high-end market. While the smartphone market was characterized by weak sales, the report indicates that demand was still strong at the high end of the market.