Huawei Technologies Co overtook Samsung Electronics Co in global smartphone shipments in the second quarter after Chinese consumer spending bounced back from a Covid-19 trough, according to Canalys.<\/p>\n
China\u2019s largest tech company shipped 55.8 million devices from April to June, down 5% from a year earlier. But Samsung\u2019s volume slid a sharper 30% to 53.7 million, the research firm estimated.<\/p>\n
It was also the first quarter in nine years that a brand other than Apple Inc. or Samsung has led the global market, according to Canalys.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a remarkable result that few people would have predicted a year ago,\u201d Canalys Senior Analyst Ben Stanton said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it wasn\u2019t for COVID-19, it wouldn\u2019t have happened. Huawei has taken full advantage of the Chinese economic recovery to reignite its smartphone business.\u201d<\/p>\n
But it may be tough for Huawei to maintain that lead given uncertainty around U.S. sanctions.<\/p>\n
Huawei\u2019s overseas shipments fell 27% in 2Q, but its Chinese volumes rose 8%.<\/p>\n
China\u2019s largest tech corporation is grappling with US sanctions that threaten to undercut its smartphone, semiconductor and networking gear businesses. It\u2019s relying on its dominant position in its own home market to sustain growth.<\/p>\n