Apple overtakes Samsung, Xiaomi in Chinese smartphone market for top spot: Report

Apple, the US-based tech giant, has shipped the most number of smartphones in China in the fourth quarter, overtaking Samsung Electronics and home-grown companies such as Xiaomi for the first time, according to data firm Canalys.

Apple's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus launched in September 2014 have proved to be popular in Asia despite being costlier than most handsets.

"The company is finally riding the large screen and LTE trends in China, which have been vital to its success," Canalys analysts said.

Samsung was shunted to the third place, the report said.

Apple captured a record 33 per cent market share in South Korea in November, according to Hong Kong-based market research company Counterpoint.

Meanwhile, Apple posted the largest profit in corporate history at US $18-billion for the second quarter with record sales of big-screen iPhones in the holiday shopping season and a 70 per cent rise in China sales.

(Reuters)