Oppo has become the top-selling smartphone brand in China for the first time ever, according to figures from Counterpoint Research. Counterpoint’s report states that Oppo was able to achieve 21 percent of the world’s largest smartphone market in January, ahead of Vivo and Huawei, which both achieved 20 percent. Apple and Xiaomi rounded out the top five with 16 percent apiece.
Oppo’s sales increased by 26 percent year-on-year and by 33 percent from the previous month. Counterpoint says the new Reno 5 Series had a successful launch because it offered better specifications at a lower price point than the previous Reno 4.
But for Oppo to gain market share, someone has to lose it, and the report shows that Huawei’s smartphone problems are taking hold in China as well. Counterpoint says Huawei has increased its focus on the premium market due to shortages of components caused by US sanctions, so Chinese distributors have focused on other brands for volume. Huawei’s sale of Honor, which also resulted from sanctions, will further reduce its market share, with Honor now considered a competitor as opposed to an asset.
These figures are for one month only, but Counterpoint expects Huawei’s market share to decline in 2021. Oppo is going to take the opportunity with the launch of its latest flagship phone, the Find X3 Pro, which will be announced full on Thursday. If you want an early look, the company tweeted a teaser that does not leave much to the imagination.