Best Selling Phones in China: A 2025 Market Overview
China remains the world’s largest smartphone market, with over 260 million units shipped annually despite economic headwinds and shifting consumer preferences. As of Q2 2025, the market experienced a 4% year-over-year decline, totaling around 68 million units, largely due to tapering government subsidies and cautious spending. However, innovation in AI features, foldable designs, and mid-range pricing has kept competition fierce among domestic giants like Huawei, vivo, and OPPO, while Apple clings to a premium foothold.
This article dives into the top-selling phones and brands in China for 2025, drawing on the latest quarterly data up to Q2. With Q3 showing early signs of a 2% contraction, trends point to sustained demand for affordable AI-enabled devices and subsidies-eligible models under CNY 6,000 (about $820).
Top Brands Dominating Sales
Huawei’s resurgence has been the story of 2025, reclaiming the top spot in Q2 with a 17.6% year-over-year shipment growth, fueled by patriotic appeal and HarmonyOS ecosystem loyalty. The top five brands accounted for over 80% of the market, as shown in the table below:
| Rank | Brand | Q2 Shipments (Million Units) | Market Share | YoY Growth |
| 1 | Huawei | 12.2 | 18% | +17.6% |
| 2 | vivo | 11.8 | 17% | -7.8% |
| 3 | OPPO (incl. OnePlus) | 10.7 | 16% | -3.6% |
| 4 | Xiaomi | 10.4 | 15% | +4% |
| 5 | Apple | 10.1 | 15% | +4% (first growth since Q4 2023) |
Data sourced from Canalys Q2 2025 report. Huawei’s lead highlights a shift toward domestic brands, with “Unknown” vendors (often local assemblers) holding about 28% in usage share through September 2025. Apple, despite ranking fifth, benefits from high-end loyalty, narrowing its declines through aggressive discounts on iPhone 16 models.
Standout Best-Selling Models
Model-level data reveals a mix of premium flagships and value-driven mid-rangers. Apple’s iPhone series continues to punch above its brand weight, claiming three of the top five spots in early 2025 surveys, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max leading at around 4% share in April. However, volume leaders are Huawei’s accessible options, capturing budget-conscious buyers in lower-tier cities.
Here are the key best-selling models driving Q2 2025 sales:
- Huawei Nova 14 Series (Standard, Pro, Ultra): Huawei’s mid-range hero, launched with AI camera enhancements and HarmonyOS 5. It propelled the brand’s surge, emphasizing sleek design and fast charging. Subsidies on these models boosted accessibility.
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: The undisputed premium king, dominating with superior camera tech and ecosystem integration. Massive discounts in Q2 helped it reclaim top model status, especially among urban professionals.
- vivo Y Series: Affordable entry-level picks like the Y200, popular in rural areas for reliable batteries and basic AI features. Despite vivo’s overall dip, this series sustained volume.
- OPPO Reno 14: A photography-focused mid-ranger with 120Hz displays and 50MP sensors, aligning with consumer demands for versatile daily drivers.
- Xiaomi 14 Series (incl. Ultra): High-end models with price cuts, featuring Snapdragon chips and AIoT synergy. The 15 Ultra variant emerged as a late-Q2 contender for power users.
- Honor 400 Series: Gaining traction with ultrasonic fingerprint tech and foldable teases, appealing to younger buyers seeking innovation on a budget.
Other notables include the vivo S30 for slim designs and Samsung’s Galaxy A16 5G for international appeal, though Korean brands lag behind locals.
Key Trends Shaping 2025 Sales
- AI and Foldables on the Rise: AI-capable phones are projected to hit 40% of shipments by year-end, with Huawei’s Mate XT tri-fold leading premium foldables. Mid-range AI features, like real-time translation, are key differentiators.
- Subsidy Impact: Early 2025 policies spurred 5% Q1 growth, but their phase-out led to Q2 softness. Brands like Xiaomi and Huawei optimized pricing to stay eligible.
- Regional Shifts: Urban areas favor Apple and high-end Huawei, while Tier 2/3 cities drive vivo and OPPO’s Y/Reno volumes. Pre-owned Androids (e.g., Redmi Note series) are booming in secondary markets.
- Challenges Ahead: With Q3 down 2% in early weeks, full-year growth is flat at best. Geopolitical tensions and inventory buildup could pressure imports like Samsung.
Conclusion
In 2025, China’s smartphone scene is a battleground where Huawei’s volume strategy eclipses Apple’s premium allure, but iPhones remain model MVPs. For buyers, the sweet spot lies in mid-rangers like the Nova 14—offering flagship vibes without the premium tag. As AI evolves and subsidies evolve, expect more surprises in Q4. Whether you’re eyeing a foldable or a budget beast, China’s market proves there’s a bestseller for every wallet.
