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Tonderai Rutsito Business Correspondent
Huawei, a leading global Information Communications Technology (ICT) solutions provider that has a presence in Zimbabwe, was recently ranked third in global smartphone shipments in 2013 by market research and analyst firm, International Data Corporation (IDC).
According to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, Huawei retained its number three position worldwide in 2013, with the highest year-on-year increase among the leading vendors at 67,5 percent.

Huawei captured 4,9 percent market share in 2013 with smartphone shipments of 48,8 million units, up from 4 percent in 2012.
In the report, global smartphone shipments increased by 38 percent in 2013, with over one billion smartphones sold in 2013.

Huawei achieved a year-on-year increase of 56,5 percent in Q4 2013 with smartphone shipments of 16,4 million units, up from 10,5 million units in Q4 2012.

It shipped 55,5 million mobile phone units in 2013, ranking number five with 3 percent global market share. IDC commented, “Huawei maintained its number three position worldwide, attained the highest year-on-year increase among the leading vendors, and raised its brand profile with a higher proportion of self-branded units compared to the ODM work it had done for other companies.”

The ranking demonstrates the success of Huawei’s strategy to focus on flagship products to build its brand globally.
According to Huawei, 52 million smartphone units were shipped in 2013, more than a 60 percent year-on-year increase from 2012 with a total sales revenue increase of 18 percent to US$9 billion for the year.