On February 12, data released by Counterpoint Research revealed that smartphone sales in China's market experienced a 23% year-on-year decline in January 2026. This downturn was primarily attributed to the high base effect from the subsidy policies implemented in early 2025, a reduction in subsidy intensity in 2026, and the staggered timing of the Lunar New Year celebrations. Huawei emerged as the market leader, capturing a 19% market share. However, its sales witnessed a 27% year-on-year decrease, prompting the company to shift its focus towards basic models. The Mate 80 emerged as the best-selling model for the month. Additionally, Huawei introduced a 'trade-in plus official subsidy' strategy to bolster sales.

In contrast, Apple's sales demonstrated resilience, growing by 8% year-on-year. The iPhone 17 standard version, in particular, stood out for its cost-effectiveness, as it met the subsidy conditions, leading to a 9% month-on-month increase in sales. Meanwhile, other domestic manufacturers all faced double-digit sales declines, highlighting the competitive challenges within the market.