Huawei has knocked off Apple from their number 2 spot in smartphones in the first quarter of the year. The top smartphone maker is Samsung and Huawei is one step closer to be number 1. Based on research firm IDC numbers, shipments when up by 50% last year. Huawei is the only name in the top 4 that managed to expand volumes as the overall market slid for the sixth consecutive quarter.

Huawei’s line-up of high-end devices increases its gains on Apple and Samsung. Apple projected quarterly sales that topped analysts’ estimates suggesting demand for iPhones has stabilised after a disappointing holiday period. Samsung has also enjoyed a spike compared with the fourth quarter thanks to the launch of the marquee S10 range in February. IDC reckons Huawei will be clinging to the No. 2 spot over the rest of 2019.

Time will tell if they will beat Samsung in the smartphone market soon enough to be no. 1.