It is not at all easy to establish yourself on the smartphone market. The American Apple, the South Korean Samsung and the Chinese manufacturers are doing very well. Former giants, such as HTC and LG, are far from being among the largest manufacturers. Vice versa, Xiaomi, which became the largest Chinese smartphone manufacturer in February, is doing well.
The cards were shuffled by the fall of Huawei
The Chinese unit has long been Huawei. The company has not been very successful lately, the biggest credit for that goes to the restrictions from the USA. Huawei cannot use Google services and has been forced to completely switch to its own alternative. It is not such a big problem in home China, but in the world, including Slovakia, it is completely different.
In China, the manufacturer is still doing quite well, but the absence of Google services has resulted in a reduction in sales in Western markets. This also opened the door for Chinese competition, which is not small. In January 2021, Oppo became the largest Chinese producer, and February belonged to Xiaomi.
Xiaomi with a 13% share of the global market
The survey is already conducted regularly by Counterpoint. In February, Xiaomi had a 13 percent market share, giving it first place among Chinese manufacturers and third place worldwide. The first Samsung has a 20% share, the second Apple 17%. Huawei's global market share fell to just 2021% in February 4.
The predictions are very promising for Chinese Xiaomi. By the end of the year, the company should be the third largest manufacturer of smartphones in the world. The main driver of sales will, of course, be middle-class smartphones. It is a category in which Xiaomi is at home.
However, the popular Chinese manufacturer does not want to profile itself only as a low-cost manufacturer. This is also evidenced by the recently introduced flagships. According to DxOMark, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra has the best camera in the world and its price is similar to the price of the most expensive iPhone or Samsung.
Inflated flagships and a folding novelty from Xiaomi
Just a few days ago, the manufacturer introduced its first folding Mi Mix Fold, which should shuffle cards in this interesting category. At least its parameters indicate this. Xiaomi has been doing well lately thanks to the fact that his smartphones are officially coming to Europe as well.
The question remains whether and how the current situation on the chip market, which is still in short supply, will confuse the cards. Forecasts say this problem will not be resolved so quickly. Xiaomi also mentions that it has affected the Mi 11 model, and even price increases are being considered.