Huawei’s smartphone shipment exceeds 100 million in 2015

Huawei Technologies Co, one of the leading Chinese handset vendors shipped more than 100 million smartphones in the year 2015. The steady sales in the domestic market as well as in Western Europe helped Huawei to increase the numbers to 108 million, up by 44 percent from 2014.

According to Reuters, Huawei’s performance upheaval comes at a time when other contemporary tech giants like Samsung and Apple are facing tough competition in the market. The report also indicates that today’s consumers are looking for less expensive alternatives with high-end features. Thus, mid-range and budget handset makers are providing stern competition to market leaders like Apple, Samsung and LG.

Huawei revealed it latest sales figures at the CES 2016 where it globally launched the Mate 8. The base model of the Mate 8 will cost 599 euros (AU$921); whereas the 4GB/64GB model will come with a price tag of 699 euros (AU$1075).

The device will now be available in 30 countries including Australia, Spain, Germany, France, United Arab Emirates and Mexico. This international launch of the Mate 8 also indicates Huawei’s inclination towards making high-end smartphone models.

Furthermore, the commendable sales figures in 2015 will encourage the Shenzhen-based company to make a shift towards premium models targeting the high-end segment. With this success, Huawei's revenue climbed to US$20 billion, almost 70 percent increase in year-over-year earnings.

Bob O'Donnell, founder of TECHnalysis Research, told CNBC that in the year 2016 Apple might face its biggest challenge in a long time. While a report in Nikkei Asian Review report foresees Apple to cut production of its latest iPhone models by about 30 percent in the first quarter of 2016 due to inventory adjustments.

Production should resume its usual momentum from April. Towards the end market analyst from Morgan Stanley predicted that in 2016, sales of Apple iPhone will dip for the first time in the company’s history.