Huawei returns to the throne: it is now the leading mobile brand in China.

Huawei's history in recent years might seem like a roller coaster ride. After its explosive global expansion, the bans imposed by the United States government in 2019 shook the foundations of its business. Without access to Google or chips from manufacturers like Qualcomm or Intel, the question wasn't whether Huawei could survive, but how .

The answer came with patience, innovation, and strategy. Huawei decided to retreat to its stronghold: the Chinese market. There it not only endured, but flourished. The year 2025 confirms this with hard data: according to Canalys, Huawei shipped 12.2 million mobile phones in the second quarter , achieving an 18% market share and outperforming all its competitors, even in a shrinking market.

The real protagonist of this story isn't just the hardware. HarmonyOS , Huawei's own operating system, has been the driving force behind its technological independence. First, it surpassed iOS in market share in 2024, and now with its new version, HarmonyOS Next , completely free of Android, it has consolidated a completely autonomous ecosystem.

The Nova 14 , the first smartphone with HarmonyOS Next out of the box, has been key to winning over Chinese consumers, who are increasingly interested in investing in domestic technology.

At the end of 2023, the launch of the Mate 60 Pro with the Kirin 5G chip marked a turning point. Despite lacking access to advanced Western technology, Huawei managed to develop a competitive processor, reinforcing its role as a beacon of technological self-sufficiency in China.

This milestone reversed international expectations. Images of citizens lining up to purchase the device went viral, demonstrating not only a successful product, but also an act of patriotic support.

Another pillar of its recovery is innovation in foldable devices . With the Huawei Mate XT , the Chinese brand has left rivals like Oppo, Xiaomi, and Samsung behind, offering a solid and attractive proposition in this competitive segment.

The advancements in design, autonomy, and functionality of foldable phones reinforce their technological leadership even outside the Android ecosystem.

Beyond mobile phones, Huawei has become a spearhead in chips, artificial intelligence, and telecommunications . Its rise is linked to the country's drive for technological independence. Huawei's success also paves the way for other Chinese manufacturers, such as Xiaomi , which has already unveiled its own chip: the Xring 01 .

Technology has become geopolitical. On this new stage, Huawei not only competes with Apple, but also represents an alternative vision to dependence on the West.

With Huawei leading the market with 18%, followed by Vivo (17%), Oppo/OnePlus (16%), and Apple and Xiaomi tied with 15% , the Chinese market has been redefined. The question is no longer whether Huawei has returned, but how long it can sustain this new leadership.