Apple Ranks 5th In China's Smartphone Market, Surpasses ZTE And Xiaomi

Canalys Research Director Nicole Peng reported Apple Inc has ranked fifth place in China's smartphone market in the second half of 2013. In the latest figures, Apple surpassed local corporations, Xiaomi and ZTE, since Apple has decided to include China as one of the first countries where iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C are released.

During the second quarter, Apple ranked seventh place in the China market. The rise from seventh to fifth place was a significant increase for the Cupertino-based tech giant. Peng said the iPhone maker has claimed a 6 percent share in the China market.

Aside from Apple, Korean electronics giant Samsung has also gained in its market share in China. According to Peng, Samsung has gained twice the number of its previous market share at 21 percent, making it the top-selling smartphone brand in China.

After Apple released the latest iPhone versions in the U.S., the company released the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C in China after three months. According to analysts and Apple observers, this was Apple's strategy to attract more customers and increase worldwide market share. Compared to Chinese market figures in 2012, Apple's share dropped 8 percent while Samsung enjoyed an increase at 14 percent.

While Apple moved up the ranks, other smartphone brands like Lenovo remained in second place with the same market share in 2012. Although Lenovo has reported an increase of product shipments at 64 percent, its market share remained the same at 13 percent.

Trailing after Lenovo is China Wireless with 11 percent market share and an 85 percent increase in product shipments. Huawei takes the fourth spot, according to the Canalys report, with 9 percent market share. After Apple, Xiaomi and ZTE are in sixth and seventh pace.

Despite surpassing ZTE, Apple faces serious challenges ahead to maintain or even increase its market share in China, according to Peng. Analysts are still waiting for Apple to make a deal with China Mobile to gain more Chinese customers and boost its market share in the Samsung-dominated country.