Counterpoint Research, a market research company, has recently revealed the top 5 best-selling smartphones in the Chinese market in 2023. Huawei is highly praised as it launched the Mate60 Pro, which is very popular among Chinese users and ranks 2nd in the top 5 list. However, the surprising thing comes from Apple when the “bitten Apple” owns 3 iPhone models in this top 5.
With a 5% market share, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has successfully topped the ranking. Although the iPhone 15 Pro Max was released in the last quarter of 2023, this device quickly dominates the market share in China. This phone has many strong improvements compared to the previous generation, including the self-produced A17 Pro chip by Apple, USB-C charging port, slimmer bezel display, 48MP main camera with optical image stabilization and 8K video recording capability.
There are 3 iPhone 15 models in the top 5 best-selling smartphones in 2023 in the populous country
Huawei Mate60 Pro closely follows the iPhone 15 Pro Max in 2nd place with a 4% market share. This flagship model possesses impressive features and performance such as satellite calling capability, smart payment, durable Kunlun Glass, high-quality camera system, 88W wired fast charging and 50W wireless charging, and a large 5000mAh battery.
According to reports from Chinese media, if Huawei can meet the production demand, Mate60 Pro entirely has the potential to compete with and surpass the iPhone 15 Pro Max in the future.
Huawei Mate60 Pro, the flagship model favored by Chinese users in recent times
The 3rd place continues to be an iPhone model, the iPhone 15 Pro, which confirms the appeal of iPhones to Chinese users. The iPhone 15 Pro has a smaller screen compared to the Pro Max version, a reduced telephoto lens camera to 3X, and a shorter battery life. For those who do not prefer large-screen phones, the iPhone 15 Pro is a smartphone that meets all the needs from premium design, beautiful camera shots, powerful performance, and importantly, smooth iOS operating system.
Honor surprisingly enters the ranking with the Honor X50, which impresses with impressive sales figures both online and offline in the populous market. This phone has a beautiful design, a large 5800mAh battery – rarely seen in its price segment, and receives high praise with a satisfaction rate of up to 97% from Chinese users. Since separating from Huawei and operating as an independent smartphone brand, Honor has shown itself as a promising brand with continuous positive growth while many other brands experience negative growth during the economic downturn. Honor is recovering and effectively taking back its lost market share.
The Honor X50 is a mid-range smartphone from Honor, surprising to be among the top 5 best-selling smartphones in 2023
Along with the Honor X50, the standard iPhone 15 model also has a 3% market share and ranks 5th in the ranking. This is the 3rd iPhone model in the list and it shows how much Chinese users prefer Apple, despite many opinions suggesting boycotting Apple products and supporting more domestic smartphones. In the past, there was a wave of boycotting iPhones in China and turning to support Huawei after the US government imposed sanctions on Huawei, making it difficult for the brand to do business in the international market. However, in the end, it is still difficult to deny the attractiveness of Apple to Chinese users.
The ranking of the best-selling smartphones in 2023 in the Chinese market shows fierce competition among major brands such as Apple, Huawei, and Honor. Each brand brings products with its own advantages and meets the diverse needs of users. And despite many ups and downs, Apple is still the most preferred brand by Chinese users.
