Huawei Shakes the Market: Claims Top Spot in Chinese Tablet Sales Over Apple

The landscape of the Chinese technology market has witnessed a significant shift as Huawei officially climbed to the top spot in tablet sales for the final quarter of 2025. A new industry report highlights a fierce competition where innovation and localized strategy have allowed the MatePad creator to narrowly edge out its biggest global rival, Apple.

The Rise of Huawei in the Tablet Sales Arena

According to the latest findings from Omida, Huawei has demonstrated exceptional resilience and growth. The report indicates that the company shipped approximately 2.4 million tablets during Q4 2025. This performance represents a 13% annual growth rate, allowing the brand to capture 26% of the total market share in China. This surge is largely attributed to a refreshed product lineup that caters to diverse user needs.

Throughout the past year, Huawei focused heavily on expanding its MatePad ecosystem. By introducing updated iterations of classic models and launching innovative new hardware like the MatePad Mini and the MatePad Edge 2-in-1, the company successfully captured the attention of consumers looking for both portability and high-performance productivity tools. These devices have directly challenged the dominance of the Apple iPad in the region.

Competitive Landscape and Market Shifts

While Apple slipped to the second position, it still maintains a formidable presence with 2.3 million shipments and a 25% market share. The tech giant continues to see positive growth, indicating that the overall tablet market in China remains healthy and expanding. However, the real surprise came from Lenovo, which moved into third place by shipping 1.1 million units—a staggering jump from the 0.6 million units recorded in Q4 2024.

On the other end of the spectrum, Xiaomi and Honor faced challenges during this period. Xiaomi, holding the fourth spot with 0.9 million units, saw a 15% decline in sales. Similarly, Honor occupied the fifth position while experiencing a 13% downfall. These shifts suggest that consumer preference is currently leaning toward brands that offer unique form factors and integrated ecosystem features.

Which brand currently leads the Chinese tablet market?

As of the fourth quarter of 2025, Huawei is the market leader in China, having shipped 2.4 million tablets and securing a 26% share of the total market.

How did Apple perform compared to Huawei?

Apple ranked second with 2.3 million shipments and a 25% market share. While it is no longer in the top spot, it still shows positive growth in the region.

What specific products helped Huawei achieve this growth?

The success was largely driven by the launch of new models such as the MatePad Mini and the MatePad Edge 2-in-1, which offered innovative features that appealed to Chinese consumers.

Which company saw the highest percentage of growth?

Lenovo experienced the most significant progress, with a 66% increase in shipments compared to the same quarter in the previous year, moving up to third place.

Are other Chinese brands like Xiaomi seeing similar success?

Not currently. Both Xiaomi and Honor saw a decline in their market performance during Q4 2025, with Xiaomi dropping by 15% and Honor by 13%.

🔎 As we move into 2026, the battle for tablet supremacy in China is far from over. Huawei's ability to maintain its lead will depend on its continued innovation and the strength of its HarmonyOS ecosystem. With Apple likely planning its own responses and Lenovo gaining rapid momentum, the coming months will be crucial for determining if this shift in market leadership is a permanent trend or a temporary fluctuation in a highly dynamic industry.