Huawei Mate 80 Dominates Chinese Market: January 2026 Sales Report Analysis

The latest data from Counterpoint Research provides a fascinating look into the Chinese smartphone landscape for January 2026. Despite intense competition and shifting consumer preferences, Huawei has successfully reclaimed the top spot in the market. This resurgence is primarily attributed to the massive success of the Mate 80, a device that has proven to be a significant volume driver for the company during the start of the year.

The Strategic Impact of the Huawei Mate 80

According to the specialized report, Huawei currently commands a 19% share of the Chinese market. While the company faced an overall year-on-year (YoY) sales decline of 27%, its ability to maintain the number one position is a testament to the Mate 80 series' popularity. While other lineups, such as the Nova 15, did not meet initial performance expectations, the Mate 80 filled the gap through a combination of advanced features and a highly effective pricing strategy.

The Mate 80 has officially become Huawei's best-selling model for January 2026. To achieve this, the tech giant utilized intensified trade-in promotions and leveraged a Chinese subsidy plan designed to boost domestic shipments. These initiatives were crucial in maintaining consumer trust and ensuring that the brand remained the preferred choice for premium smartphone buyers in the region.

Incentives and Market Competition

Huawei’s strategy involved offering the highest evaluated trade-in prices across multiple recycling platforms. This was further enhanced by an additional 20% official subsidy on new device purchases. Together, these financial incentives helped the company stabilize its sales figures amidst a generally downward trend for many domestic brands. Counterpoint noted that while the Nova series underperformed compared to the previous year, the base Mate 80 model carried the weight of the brand's success.

In the broader market context, Apple secured the second-place ranking. The American tech giant recorded its highest January sales in five years, driven by the iPhone 17 series. Apple also holds a 19% market share, bolstered by an 8% YoY growth rate. Specifically, the base iPhone 17 model saw a 9% month-on-month sales increase after entering the Chinese subsidy program.

Following the leaders, OPPO and Vivo ranked third and fourth, respectively. Despite their positions, most major Chinese smartphone brands are navigating a period of significant sales decline as of early 2026. Analysts are now looking toward the conclusion of the first quarter to see if these vendors can pivot toward positive growth.

Which smartphone model was the primary driver for Huawei's success in January 2026?

The Huawei Mate 80 was the standout performer, becoming the company's top-selling model and helping it secure the leading position in the Chinese market despite a broader sales decline.

What is Huawei's current market share in China?

As of January 2026, Huawei holds a 19% market share, placing it at the top of the rankings alongside Apple, which also holds 19%.

How did Huawei encourage consumers to purchase new devices?

Huawei implemented aggressive trade-in promotions with high evaluation prices and provided an additional 20% official subsidy for customers purchasing new devices.

How did the Nova 15 series perform compared to the Mate 80?

The Nova 15 series underperformed and did not meet the sales benchmarks set in previous years, leaving the Mate 80 to handle the majority of the brand's sales volume.

Who are the other top players in the Chinese smartphone market?

Apple follows closely in second place with the iPhone 17 series, while OPPO and Vivo occupy the third and fourth positions, respectively.

🔎 In conclusion, the start of 2026 has proven that Huawei's brand resilience remains strong in its home market. By focusing on the high-demand Mate 80 and supporting it with substantial financial incentives, the company has managed to navigate a challenging economic environment. As the year progresses, the industry will be watching closely to see if this momentum can be sustained or if competitors like Apple and OPPO will reclaim the lead through their own technological innovations.