Huawei is targeting 200 million phone sales worldwide in 2018, ending on Apple

The Chinese mobile phone maker Huawei plans to ship 200 million smartphones to the world by the end of the year, bringing it closer to Apple as a second global supplier behind Samsung (via The South China Morning Post ).

The target was announced by the head of the mobile division, Richard Yu Chengdong, while the Chinese company has launched the latest additions to its range of mid-range smartphones, the Nova 3 and Nova 3i. Yu said Huawei had shipped 100 million phones as of July 18, the fastest pace of Huawei's shipments in years.

Huawei's Nova 3i

"Previously Huawei reached the 100 million mark on December 22, 2015, October 14, 2016, and September 12, 2017. As it had only been necessary to do so, it was not necessary to have a lot of money. just over six months to reach the goal this year, "Yu said at the launch of the product.

Huawei's success comes despite headwinds in the global mobile phone market affecting large brands like Apple and Samsung.In fiscal 2017, Apple sold 216.76 million iPhones, but recorded declines of 2.8% in the first quarter of 2018. The market leader, Samsung , finished the year with 317.3 million shipments, but also recorded declines in Q1 2018 2.4 percent decline in sales.

Meanwhile, Huawei shipped a total of 39.3 million phones in the first three months of 2018, gaining ground on the 52.2 million Apple units on the same period, according to a research note from IDC published in May.

Huawei calculates its global mobile shipments by combining its Huawei phones and Honor brand phones, which took off in the second quarter in the Southeast Asian markets, particularly in India, according to Zaker Li, an analyst. at IHS Markit. spoke to Morning Post .

"Given that the second half is normally the peak season for smartphone sales since major brands will all release their flagship phones, it will not be difficult for Huawei to exceed 200 million phone shipments now, "Li said.

Since 2013, Huawei's long-term goal has been to become the world's largest smartphone seller, ahead of Samsung and Apple. Huawei reportedly began talks with operators AT & T and Verizon about selling its flagship Android smartphones in the United States as early as 2018.

In January, however, AT & T reportedly gave up the Chinese company's Mate handset transportation plans at the last minute, after US lawmakers told the carrier that it could jeopardize future contracts. of the government.

Currently, US customers have to rely on retailers such as Best Buy or Walmart, or Huawei's direct-selling website, to purchase one of their devices, reducing the brand's visibility in the country. Huawei is expected to release its flagship new-generation Mate series in the third quarter of this year.