Key Points
- Market shift: Huawei 华为 reclaimed the No.1 spot in China after surpassing Apple (Pingguo 苹果) for two consecutive weeks.
- Mate 80 impact: The Mate 80 系列 launch (starting at ¥4,699; Pro ¥5,999; Pro Max ¥7,999) plus an advertised ¥800 RMB lower entry price boosted competitiveness.
- Product highlights: Key updates include 2nd‑gen “Red Maple” imaging, an advertised 14‑day extreme standby, ultra‑bright “linglong” display and HarmonyOS 6 (Hongmeng 鸿蒙 6).
- Market reaction & implications: Reports of offline sell‑outs and strong reseller demand signal short‑term momentum; the main question is whether Huawei can sustain the lead beyond initial inventory and promotions.
Huawei Reclaims No.1 in China Smartphone Market
Snapshot — market share shift and the Mate 80 effect
According to third‑party market data cited by National Business Daily (每日经济新闻), Huawei (Huawei 华为) has overtaken Apple (Pingguo 苹果) in China for two consecutive weeks since the launch of the HUAWEI Mate 80 (Mate 80 系列).
This two‑week lead returned Huawei to the top domestic market‑share position.
This shift is a clean reminder that product timing, pricing, and ecosystem confidence still move short‑term rankings in China’s smartphone market.
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What changed — product, price, and perception
The rebound follows the rollout of the Mate 80 family, which Huawei positioned as a value‑and‑innovation update to its lineup.
Huawei’s official announcement highlighted several headline features for the Mate 80 series: second‑generation “Red Maple” natural‑color imaging, a 14‑day extreme standby claim, an extra‑bright “linglong” display, and an entry price that the company says is ¥800 RMB lower than the previous generation.
The lower entry price helped sharpen the series’ market competitiveness.
The launch also underscores renewed consumer confidence in Huawei’s HarmonyOS (Hongmeng 鸿蒙) ecosystem.
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Launch timing and pricing — quick reference
Huawei announced the Mate 80 and Mate 80 Pro at its all‑scenario launch event on November 25, and sales began November 28 with HarmonyOS 6 (Hongmeng 鸿蒙 6) on board.
- HUAWEI Mate 80 — starting price ¥4,699 RMB ($691 USD)
- HUAWEI Mate 80 Pro — starting price ¥5,999 RMB ($882 USD)
- HUAWEI Mate 80 Pro Max — starting price ¥7,999 RMB ($1,176 USD)
USD conversions above use a rounded conversion rate for clarity.
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Market reaction — demand signals and reseller reports
Market tracking firms recorded a two‑week period in which Huawei’s domestic share exceeded Apple’s.
Coverage attributes the milestone mainly to the Mate 80 series’ combined price positioning and technology upgrades.
Public response on social platforms and reseller channels during the launch window showed strong demand for higher‑tier models.
There were reports of units selling out or being hard to reserve at some offline retailers.
Product highlights — what Huawei emphasized
- Imaging: 2nd‑generation “Red Maple” (redfeng) natural‑color imaging system.
- Battery/standby: marketing claims of up to 14 days extreme standby in specific low‑use scenarios.
- Display: ultra‑bright “linglong” screen for improved outdoor readability.
- Software: ships with HarmonyOS 6 (Hongmeng 鸿蒙).
Why it matters — strategic takeaways for investors, founders, and product teams
Short‑term category mobility.
Smartphone market share in China can flip quickly when a major vendor combines a compelling price point with notable feature upgrades.
Value vs. brand premium.
Huawei’s ¥800 RMB price advantage at the entry level is an example of how modest pricing moves can influence consumer choice against premium brands like Apple.
Local ecosystem stickiness.
Renewed interest in HarmonyOS (Hongmeng 鸿蒙) highlights the role of software ecosystems in purchase decisions, especially when hardware differentiation narrows.
Channel dynamics matter.
Offline sell‑outs and reseller reports are early indicators of sustained demand that may show up in broader market data over the coming weeks.
Practical implications — what to watch next
Developers and partners should watch HarmonyOS adoption signals on app stores and services tied to the Mate 80 rollout.
Investors should monitor whether Huawei can sustain this lead beyond promotional windows and initial inventory pushes.
Product teams at rivals will likely re‑examine pricing tiers and feature bundles aimed at the high‑end and near‑high‑end segments.
Marketers should track social sentiment and reservation trends for higher‑tier models as an early barometer of conversion and post‑launch momentum.
Quick summary — the takeaway for busy readers
Huawei (Huawei 华为) has taken back the top spot in China after surpassing Apple (Pingguo 苹果) for two consecutive weeks following the Mate 80 (Mate 80 系列) launch.
The move shows how updated features, a slightly lower entry price, and a stronger ecosystem narrative can together shift market share quickly.
For anyone tracking Chinese tech: keep an eye on how long the lead lasts and how competitors react on price and software strategy.
Huawei Reclaims No.1 in China Smartphone Market
