There’s been a lot of talk lately about how brands like Samsung and Apple dominate the global smartphone market. But while those two giants trade the number one spot back and forth, HONOR overseas growth just hit numbers that make every other major smartphone brand look like they’re standing still.
According to a new report from Omdia, HONOR overseas shipments jumped a massive 55% year-over-year in the first three quarters of 2025. Among the top 10 global smartphone vendors, HONOR recorded the strongest overseas growth. But how did the company pull this off? How did it succeed where others failed? Turns out going super high-end wasn’t the answer.
HONOR’s Mid-Tier Strategy Pays Off
Most Chinese smartphone brands focus on flooding markets with budget phones under $200. However, HONOR’s taking a different approach. Instead of focusing on dirt cheap smartphones, the company prioritized the $300-$499 price segment. It was a smart play because ultimately, this accounted for around 23% of its overseas shipments in the first three quarters of 2025. That’s actually the highest proportion among major Chinese vendors.
The report also revealed that HONOR maintained a top-five position in core Western European markets like the UK and France. The Magic V5 foldable phone helped HONOR secure second place in Western Europe’s book-style foldable segment. Southeast Asia’s also shaping up as the next frontier, with HONOR establishing local manufacturing in Indonesia.
The brand now holds over 10% market share in 17 countries across Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. In Malaysia, HONOR became the market leader with over 18% smartphone share.
This overseas push comes as HONOR announced plans to invest over $10 billion in AI-driven products over the next five years. The company’s betting that AI features, combined with its mid-to-high-end positioning, will sustain its overseas expansion momentum. Especially in markets where consumers want premium experiences without flagship prices.
