Huawei Takes Nearly a Quarter of EMEA Smartphone Market in 4Q18

Huawei continued its rapid rise in the EMEA smartphone market in the fourth quarter of 2018, according to IDC. It gained a quarter of the Android market for the first time in the region, and its value share of the Android market rose to a third, while arch rival Samsung held its share in units but dropped in value.

Total smartphone volumes in EMEA in the fourth quarter were 98.8 million, very similar to those in the same quarter in 2017. Total value was up 2.5%, at $35.5 billion, though this total masked increases across Europe and a drop in the Middle East and Africa. Xiaomi also had an exceptional quarter, with shipments up 70.5% year over year, but lower than in the third quarter.

Top 5 Smartphone Companies, EMEA 4Q18 (Units in Millions)

IDC forecasts a slight decline of 0.1% in smartphone volumes across EMEA in 2019, with the drop mainly felt in Western and Central and Eastern Europe, while the Middle East and Africa will continue to experience 2.8% year-over-year growth. Android will continue to consolidate its position, as consumers continue to replace their feature phones with an Android-enabled smartphone in the Middle East and Africa, due to its affordable device offering.

Smartphone Forecast by OS, EMEA (Units in Millions)