Huawei Secures Top 5 Spot in 2025 US Patent Grants, Overtaking Key Rivals

The landscape of technological innovation continues to shift, with recent data revealing significant milestones for major industry players. In the highly competitive arena of intellectual property, Huawei has achieved a notable success in the 2025 US Patent Grant rankings, placing firmly within the top five companies recognized for their patented innovations.

According to the latest report released by IFI Claims, Huawei secured the fourth position in the 2025 US Patent Grant standings. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as it signifies that the company has surpassed several established technology giants, including Apple, which landed in the sixth spot on the same ranking.

The cornerstone of this ranking is the number of patents officially authorized by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Huawei recorded approximately 3,052 granted patents in 2025, showing a slight increase of six patents compared to the 3,046 granted in the preceding year. This incremental growth was enough to secure their higher placement.

Leading the pack remains Samsung Electronics, which achieved the top rank with an impressive 7,054 authorized patents. TSMC followed in second place, securing 4,194 granted patents, while Qualcomm positioned itself at third. Huawei’s success in capturing the fourth spot solidifies its position as a powerhouse in global R&D investment and output.

This strong patent performance is directly linked to Huawei's sustained commitment to research and development. The company reportedly invested about 96.95 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, marking a 9.04% year-on-year increase. This substantial investment fueled revenue growth of 22.7%.

The overall US patent environment in 2025 saw 393,344 total applications, resulting in 323,272 total US grants. While the report notes significant corporate investment in Artificial Intelligence, the progress in this area did not meet all prior expectations. However, IFI Claims observed that AI advancements are successfully integrating into other critical sectors like robotics and self-driving vehicles, suggesting future patent trends will continue to reflect these convergences.

Key takeaways from Huawei's 2025 patent ranking:

• ✨ Huawei successfully entered the top 5 list for US Patent Grants in 2025, achieving the fourth position.
• ✨ The company surpassed major competitor Apple, which fell to the sixth rank.
• ✨ Huawei secured 3,052 authorized patents, continuing its strong investment in R&D throughout the year.
• ✨ Samsung Electronics maintained its lead with 7,054 granted patents, followed by TSMC and Qualcomm.

It is important to clarify the term 'Grant' in this context: A Grant signifies the official issuance of a patent by the USPTO. This issuance confers a limited-time property right to the inventor, empowering them to legally prevent others from making, using, or selling the protected invention within the United States.

The patent sector also experienced regulatory shifts, including the Commerce Department implementing a revised fee structure for patent holders based on the inherent value of their patents. This move aims to better align costs with the actual utility derived from the intellectual property.

For those interested in the full categorization and analysis of these trends, you can review the original report data by clicking here to see the source data.

What does ranking fourth in US Patent Grants signify for Huawei?

Ranking fourth demonstrates Huawei's significant and consistent output of novel, legally protected inventions recognized by the US system. It validates their heavy, ongoing investment in research and development across various technological domains, strengthening their competitive position globally.

How does the 2025 ranking compare to previous years for top companies?

While Samsung maintained the top spot, Huawei showed improvement by securing more grants than the previous year, which allowed them to surpass Apple. The overall trend shows fierce competition among the top three (Samsung, TSMC, Qualcomm) while Huawei solidifies its position just behind them.

What is the role of AI investment in these patent statistics?

Although many firms, including Huawei, invested heavily in AI, the report suggests that the tangible, granted patents reflecting these AI advancements are still maturing and integrating into broader technologies such as autonomous systems and robotics.

Who holds the top position for US Patent Grants in 2025?

Samsung Electronics decisively holds the top position for 2025, having been granted 7,054 patents, significantly more than the second and third-ranked companies.

What is the difference between a patent application and a patent grant?

A patent application is a request for protection submitted to the USPTO. A patent grant is the formal approval and issuance of that protection, legally conferring exclusive rights to the inventor for a specified period.

How might the new Commerce Department fee structure affect patent holders?

The new fee structure, based on patent value, is likely intended to encourage patent holders to maintain only the most valuable and actively utilized intellectual property, potentially weeding out dormant patents.

🔎 The sustained effort by Huawei to lead in patent acquisition underscores a long-term strategic commitment to innovation excellence, not just in their home market but across the crucial US technological sector. As AI continues to mature and integrate into core technologies, Huawei's strong foundation in granted patents positions it well to capitalize on future technological breakthroughs expected in 2026 and beyond.