China’s smartphone market shows signs of recovery with October sales up 11% from last year, according to data from research firm Counterpoint. The boost was driven largely by Huawei, which saw over 90% growth during the month thanks to its new Kirin-powered Mate 60 series.
Counterpoint analysts say Huawei’s growth benefited from strong marketing around its new “Made in China” chipset. However, production constraints may limit sales gains. Both Huawei and Apple are facing shortages of certain models due to higher than expected demand and supply chain issues.
The real test will be the 11.11 Singles Day sales period, the biggest online shopping festival in China. Preliminary data suggests overall smartphone sales were up for the event versus last year. But Huawei’s contribution to the growth remains unclear. Its ability to scale production will determine not just its own sales, but the trajectory of the broader Chinese smartphone market in the fourth quarter, analysts say.
