Updated
Updated · Android Central · Aug 20
Honor Posts 9% Global Shipment Growth as Middle East Sales Jump 35% in a 13% Slump
Updated
Updated · Android Central · Aug 20

Honor Posts 9% Global Shipment Growth as Middle East Sales Jump 35% in a 13% Slump

3 articles · Updated · Android Central · Aug 20

Summary

  • Honor grew global smartphone shipments 9% in H1 2026, standing out as the only major Chinese Android brand to post year-over-year growth despite the broader market downturn.
  • Omdia said the Middle East market shrank 13%, yet Honor's shipments there rose 35%, lifting its share to 15% and keeping it in second place for a second straight quarter.
  • That momentum extended to Africa and Southeast Asia, where Honor's shipments climbed 53% and 15%, with Malaysia and the Philippines ranking among its fastest-growing Q2 markets.
  • Rivals Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo posted double-digit global shipment declines in Q2 as rising memory costs and weak demand hit entry-level and midrange phones hardest.
  • Premium devices are holding up better: Samsung regained the global lead with 24% share, Huawei led China with 23%, and Honor captured 53% to 89% of foldable sales in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Insights

How is HONOR dominating the global Android market while simultaneously losing ground to rivals in its home country?
Can HONOR's new AI-powered foldable truly disrupt the premium market by seamlessly connecting with the Apple ecosystem?