Beating Apple is no easy feat. Despite the average quarter, Apple still sold 40.7 MILLION iPhones. So whenever a phone maker manages to sell more than Apple, it’s a BIG deal. Yeah yeah, Samsung did it. But we kind of knew that. Little did we know that Huawei overtook Apple in sales already!
Yes, it FINALLY happened! According to Counterpoint Research, Huawei overtook Apple in overall smartphone sales for the months of June and July!
Although there may be a lot of factors, I think these are the reasons why Huawei overtook Apple.
Huawei is KING in China.
Unlike the global market, China really looks different when it comes to smartphones. Huawei leads the way in smartphone shipments with 20.2%! If you also notice the top three, Chinese brands OPPO and Vivo are there. Samsung just gets by with a measly 3%. Wow.
That Leica Dual Camera.
I don’t know about you, but Huawei was the first smartphone maker to bring a dual camera to the mainstream. The partnership they have with Leica really worked out! They both even have a research and innovation center in Leica’s headquarters! Based on their progress in the Huawei P10 and P10 Plus, I think they’re making a lot of waves. Here’s to hoping for greater things with their upcoming Huawei Mate 10.
Huawei Does Apple Things.
One thing that Apple does very well is design their own stuff for use on their iPhones. Samsung also make their own stuff though they make the displays as well. Huawei learned this trait too and started making their own chips. At IFA 2017, they announced the Kirin 970. Its big selling point is being the first processor with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). This helps with Huawei’s big push on AI.
Variety of Smartphone Options
Like most Android phone makers, Huawei has a lot of options in their lineup. From the affordable GR3 2017, to the cheapest dual-camera Huawei phone with the GR5 2017, to the flagship P10 and Mate 10. Huawei gives you a lot of choice when it comes to what you’re looking for in a smartphone.
WeChat is Dominant in China
Even though none of those reasons are good enough, this probably takes the cake. This isn’t the sole advantage of Huawei, but Huawei sure took advantage of this. People in China are slowly moving away from Apple and the iPhone thanks to WeChat. It is more than just a messaging app there. You can pay for stuff through it. You can even put up a store through it! Even Apple supported WeChat Payments in the Chinese App Store just to play along. Huawei better make a big move with WeChat or else Apple might take some share back.
Those are the reasons why Huawei overtook Apple in smartphone sales. Although Huawei won’t enjoy it for long, this is a good sign that Huawei’s bets in the past few years have paid off.
Do you think Huawei can maintain this? Will Apple strike back? Do you agree with my reasons? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
did it make you sad?
No. Because iPhone 8 is coming. Haha
Wow, I know that you’re team Iphone since then, but you still write about Huawei. Anyway, I truly agree with all the reasons you’ve shared on your blog post and somewhat have made me happy because I have been using Huawei phone for more than a year now. And truly, I’m satisfied with Huawei. Yes, iPhone X is now in the market and i heard that it was really awesome.
I am not much of a fan of Apple since I cannot afford it, anyway. My brother has been bugging to get an iPhone and a Mac for awhile now but I simply won’t budge. I love my android phone and my laptop, too.
If I ever going to get a new mobile phone, I am seriously eyeing Huawei for the Leica camera, too. I need a phone that only lets me do my usual online activity on the go, but also allow me to take beautiful photos for my blog and Huawei sounds like the one that will do the trick. I hope I can get one of these before the year ends.