BEIJING, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- China's phone makers gained a record 24 percent market share in the global smartphone market in the fourth quarter, a research firm said.
But U.S. President Donald Trump's new trade policies may crush Chinese companies like ZTE and Lenovo, which holds about 10 percent of the market share in the US, according to research firm Canalys.
The worldwide smartphone market sales reached 400 million units in the fourth quarter, with Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Oppo and Vivo the five biggest sellers. Apple replaced Samsung at the top after Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 battery fiasco.
Third-placed Huawei grew 39 percent to reach 45 million units, exceeding 10 percent market share for the first time this quarter.
Oppo and Vivo made up the top five as BBK Electronics' top brands maintained their pressure on the leading trio.
Huawei, Oppo and Vivo are increasingly making their presence felt internationally with a combined global market share of 24 percent, up from 16 percent in the same quarter a year ago, said Jia Mo, Canalys' Shanghai-based analyst.
But with Trump threatening to raise tariffs, it could hit the Chinese vendors hard in the US.
It also raises questions about the future of Lenovo and ZTE, which have seen about 10 percent growth in the US. (Shanghai Daily)
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