In the China smartphone market, China-based vendors have extended competitive advantage from entry-level models priced below CNY1,000 (US$156) to mid-range and high-end ones and thereby have gained the upper hand over foreign vendors in terms of overall market occupation, according to Taiwan-based supply chain makers.

Among China-based smartphone vendors, ZTE, Huawei Device, Coolpad, Lenovo, Xiaomi Technology and TCL Communication Technology originally focused on entry-level models priced below CNY1,000 in the China market, while Meizu, Vivo and Oppo had launched some mid-range and high-end models, the sources said.

Currently, Lenovo, Xiaomi and Huawei Device lead in sales of smartphones priced below CNY1,500. Vivo and Oppo have both reached a market share of about 30% for in the CNY2,000-2,500 and and CNY2,500-3,000 ranges. Huawei Device has over 30% of the high-end CNY3,000-3,500 segment due to booming sales of its Mate 7 model, the sources indicated.

In contrast, Apple is the only foreign vendor that has maintained a considerable market share due to steadily good sales for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, while Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Sony Mobile Communications and HTC have seen decreasing market shares, the sources said.