REUTERS: Xiaomi Corp, a Chinese smartphone company, surpassed Apple Inc to become the world’s No. 2 smartphone producer in the second quarter, according to Canalys, a market research firm. According to the research organization, Xiaomi moved into second place for the first time, with a 17 percent share of global smartphone shipments, up 3% from the previous quarter.
In the second quarter, global smartphone shipments increased by 12%, with Samsung Electronics leading the way with a 19% share and Apple in third place with a 14% share.
Xiaomi phones are around 40% to 75% cheaper than Samsung and Apple phones, according to Canalys Research Manager Ben Stanton, who added that one of Xiaomi’s top priorities this year is to increase sales of its high-end products.
According to the research, the company’s shipments increased by more than 300 percent in Latin America, 150 percent in Africa, and 50 percent in Western Europe.
(Bengaluru-based reporter Radhika Anilkumar contributed to this report; Vinay Dwivedi edited it.)/n
