Canalys: 2022 sees China smartphone market decline to worst levels in a decade
Canalys published its latest report on smartphone sales in China regarding the final quarter of 2022 and the full calendar year. The results are bleak, as the market saw a 14% decline in overall shipments, dipping below 300 million units for the first time since 2013.
During Q4, Apple was the top maker with a 22% market share, although shipments declined 24%.
The significance of the Chinese market is enormous for makers, as it is the biggest in the world - about 25% of all smartphones globally are sold the Asian country. Canalys reveals most vendors have been dealing with inventory issues in 2022 and having trouble clearing out stock.
China is moving towards a “premiumization” of the market, with makers launching products with “improved ecosystem experiences”. The analysts pointed out Xiaomi’s partnership with Leica with the 13 Pro smartphone and Oppo with the expansion of its foldables portfolio to include the Find N2 Flip.
vivo kept its top spot for the year, but is now being very closely followed by Honor, Apple, and Oppo - all four manufacturers have a similar market share of roughly 18%, followed by Xiaomi with 13%.
Most companies faced a yearly decline in shipments, save for Apple with a minor increase, and Honor with a massive 30% jump, but that company was still making its first steps in 2022.
| Vendor | 2022 shipments (million) | 2022 market share | 2021 shipments (million) | 2021 market share | Annual growth |
| vivo | 52.2 | 18% | 71.5 | 21% | -27% |
| Honor | 52.2 | 18% | 40.2 | 12% | 30% |
| Apple | 51.3 | 18% | 49.4 | 15% | 4% |
| Oppo | 50.4 | 18% | 50.5 | 21% | -27% |
| Xiaomi | 38.6 | 13% | 52.5 | 16% | -19% |
| Others | 42.6 | 15% | 52.5 | 16% | -19% |
| Total | 287.3 | 100% | 332.9 | 100% | -14% |
Expectations for 2023 are that demand might need 6 to 12 months to bring numbers back above 300 million.
Nevertheless, the overall market results should increase as the pandemic is no longer such a huge issue, the supply chain is expected to stabilize, and business activities and consumer confidence are likely to return.
