Xiaomi Ranked World’s No. 2 Smartphone Maker – Report

Chinese smartphone brand Xiaomi for the first time became the world’s second-largest vendor by handset shipments ahead of Apple in Q2, 2021 according to the latest numbers from research firm Canalys.

According to the report, it accounted for 17 per cent of the global market. Its performance was lifted by strong sales in Latin America, Africa and Europe.

“Xiaomi is growing its overseas business rapidly,” said Canalys Research Manager Ben Stanton.

“For example, its shipments increased more than 300% in Latin America, 150% Africa and 50% in Western Europe. And as it grows, it evolves. It is now transforming its business model from challenger to incumbent, with initiatives such as channel partner consolidation and more careful management of older stock in the open market.”

Global smartphone shipments grew 12% in the second quarter with Samsung being the leading vendor with a 19% share of smartphones shipped. 

Apple was third, with 14%. Vivo and Oppo maintained strong growth momentum to complete the top five.

Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun in an open letter to the employees, said, “For the first time ever, Xiaomi became No. 2 in the world. It is a fantastic achievement, and also an important milestone in Xiaomi’s history.”

Xiaomi ranked 3rd globally in terms of smartphone shipments in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Xiaomi is an internet company with smartphones and smart hardware connected by an Internet of Things (IoT) platform at its core.

From its unaudited consolidated results for the first quarter of this year, the company registered record-high profits and revenue in the period ending on March 31.