Oppo became the best-selling smartphone brand in China for the first time, according to figures from Counterpoint Research. The Counterpoint report says that Oppo managed to capture 21 percent of the world’s largest smartphone market in January, ahead of Vivo and Huawei, which reached 20 percent. Apple and Xiaomi completed the top five with 16% each.
Oppo’s sales increased 26% in the year and 33% in relation to the previous month. Counterpoint says the new Reno 5 series has had a successful launch due to offering better specs at a lower price than the previous Reno 4.
But for Oppo to gain market share, someone needs to lose it, and the report shows that Huawei’s smartphone problems are also occurring in China. Counterpoint says Huawei has increased its focus on the premium market because of the shortage of components caused by U.S. sanctions, so Chinese distributors have been focusing on other brands by volume. The sale of Honor by Huawei, which was also triggered by sanctions, will further reduce its market share, with Honor now considered a competitor rather than an asset.
These numbers are only a month old, but Counterpoint expects Huawei’s market share to continue to decline throughout 2021. Oppo will seek to capitalize on the opportunity with the launch of its latest flagship phone, the Find X3 Pro, which is being announced in full on Thursday. If you want to take a look at the beginning, the company just tweeted a teaser that doesn’t leave much to the imagination.