Huawei Tackles Apple in Global Smartphone Wars by Cutting Prices
The Unstoppable Rise of Huawei in the Chinese Smartphone Market
When it comes to the global smartphone market, China is the king, and Huawei is the crown jewel of Chinese tech. But is the US the second-largest market in the world? Think again. India takes the silver medal, with the US in third place. In the premium smartphone segment, Apple reigns supreme, with a commanding 52% market share. Huawei, however, is hot on its heels, with a 33% share and a 34% growth in domestic premium sales in the third quarter.
The Focused Fight for Market Share
To stay competitive with Apple, Huawei has been busy cutting prices on its high-end phones. Take, for instance, the Pura 70 Ultra, part of the Pura 70 flagship series, which made its debut in April. The 1TB variant is now 18% cheaper, with a reduced price tag of 8,999 yuan ($1,233), thanks to a 1,000 yuan ($137) discount. On the other hand, the version with 512GB of storage is available with a 20% discount. The Pura 70 line, the successor to the P60 flagship series, was already reduced in price by up to 1,000 yuan (137) last summer.
Keep an Eye on the Competition
The current Mate 70 flagship series, released in November, has been struggling to gain traction, thanks to the Kirin 9020 application processor, which is considered weaker compared to the silicons used in the iPhone 16 models. While Counterpoint Research forecasted that the series would still manage to sell over 10 million units, the Mate 70 is facing stiff competition from Huawei’s domestic rivals and the global dominance of Apple and Samsung.
The Art of Adapting to Change
In this cutthroat market, Huawei is opting for a different approach by lowering prices on its high-end phones. The foldable Mate X5, released in September, is now 19% cheaper, with a reduced price tag of 10,499 yuan ($1,439) after a 2,500 yuan ($343) discount. With the success of the Mate X5 and the Pura 70 Ultra, it’s clear that Huawei is adapting to the changing landscape of the Chinese smartphone market.
The Rise of the Foldable Phone Revolution
Huawei has been leading the charge in the foldable phone segment. With its Mate X5 and the recent Mate XT, which uncensors a 10-inch display, the brand is set to continue its dominance in the Chinese market. According to CINNO, Huawei shipped 1.12 million foldable units in the third quarter, a whopping 97% year-over-year growth. This is a testament to the brand’s innovative approach and ability to stay ahead of the curve.
