HarmonyOS Hits 24 per Cent Share in China as Global Smartphone Sales Fall
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Huawei’s HarmonyOS captured 24 per cent of China’s smartphone sales in the second quarter of 2026, squeezing Android down to 58 per cent. The domestic operating system expanded its footprint as overall worldwide smartphone shipments dropped 11 per cent year on year.
Global handset demand contracted faster than the 4 per cent drop recorded in the first quarter, with the sharpest drops hitting budget and mid-tier devices across developing markets. Android felt the brunt of that pullback. Its worldwide sales share dropped four percentage points to 75 per cent, even with stronger sales from Samsung’s Galaxy S26 lineup.
Shifts in Component Sourcing and Pricing
Huawei insulated its handset business from rising component prices by sourcing more parts from domestic suppliers in mainland China. High demand for the Enjoy 90 Pro Max alongside steady sales of legacy models helped HarmonyOS reach a 5 per cent global volume share.
Chinese Android manufacturers took a different path. Pinched by memory chip shortages and higher bill-of-materials expenses, brands scaled down their low-cost phone lineups to focus on higher-margin premium devices. That pivot opened room for Apple at the top end of the market.
Apple Takes Record June Quarter Share
Apple captured 20 per cent of worldwide sales during the three months ending June, its highest second-quarter share on record. Deliveries were anchored by the iPhone 17 family and the entry of the iPhone 17e, supported by trade-in programs and retail installment plans.
In India, Android maintained a dominant 91 per cent volume share, leaving iOS with 9 per cent. In the United States, Apple took 51 per cent of sales against Android’s 49 per cent.
For retailers and hardware distributors across Asia, the product mix is shifting upmarket as low-end volumes shrink. Brands are preparing their product allocations for the fourth-quarter holiday cycle, where component pricing will dictate whether entry-tier production rebounds or stays constrained.
Questions & Answers
Q.How did Huawei manage to avoid the impact of rising component prices on its handset business?
How did Huawei manage to avoid the impact of rising component prices on its handset business?
Huawei mitigated the effect of rising component prices by increasing its reliance on domestic suppliers within mainland China. This strategy helped insulate its handset division from broader market pressures.
Q.Which specific device models contributed to HarmonyOS achieving a 5 per cent global volume share?
Which specific device models contributed to HarmonyOS achieving a 5 per cent global volume share?
The high demand for the Enjoy 90 Pro Max, coupled with consistent sales of its older models, significantly contributed to HarmonyOS reaching a 5 per cent global volume share. These devices bolstered its market presence.
Q.What led to Chinese Android manufacturers reducing their low-cost phone offerings?
What led to Chinese Android manufacturers reducing their low-cost phone offerings?
Chinese Android manufacturers scaled back their budget phone lineups due to memory chip shortages and increased bill-of-materials costs. They instead prioritised higher-margin premium devices in response to these pressures.
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