The Chinese smartphone market has now had seven consecutive quarters with lower shipments year-over-year. The fourth quarter saw a 15% decline, and the drop for the entire year was 14%. The Chinese smartphone market has now had seven consecutive quarters with lower shipments year-over-year. The fourth quarter saw a 15% decline, and the drop for the entire year was 14%.
The Chinese smartphone market was held hostage last year to a weak economy in the country, partially related to the ongoing U. S.-China trade war. Thanks to research firm Canalys, we can quantify the damage in numbers. Last year, Chinese smartphone shipments amounted to 396 million units, a decline of 14% from 2017, and the lowest total since 2013. The year was topped off with a 15% year-over-year decline in shipments for the fourth quarter. That makes it seven consecutive quarters with lower shipments.
However, the top five Chinese companies were able to increase their hold on the market. Those firms accounted for 88% of Chinese smartphone shipments in 2018, up from 73% in 2017.
