In China, low-cost smartphone rivals chase Samsung

Samsung is already the largest smartphone vendor in China. But its global market share has been under threat by low-cost Chinese competitors.

In China, at least, Samsung appears to holding on—and even gaining—market share. Samsung's market share for the third quarter ended Sept. 30 rose to 21 percent from 14 percent a year earlier, according to data released by research firm Canalys and reported by the WSJ.

Over a quarter of a billion smartphones were shipped worldwide in the third quarter as the global market grew 44 percent compared to the same period last year, according to Canalys. And Samsung hung on to its top spot with 34 percent market share, followed by Apple with 15 percent.

In the global smartphone market, China is a giant. Greater China, which includes China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, grew by 64 percent, the most of any other region, with nearly 100 million units shipping in the third quarter. The region now accounts for 39 percent of the global market, Canalys said in its report.

While Apple dominates in North America, Samsung has held onto its top spot by leading in Europe and Greater China. Meanwhile, local Chinese vendors Lenovo, Yulong and Huawei continue to chase Samsung.

Photo: Samsung

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com