Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more.
Xiaomi Redmi 5A reportedly the biggest selling Android phone globally in March
August 12, 2025
Research firmsCounterpoint ResearchandCanalyshave released smartphone shipment reports for earlier in 2018, and both highlight significant achievements for Chinese firm Xiaomi.
Counterpoint Research has suggested that theXiaomi’s Redmi 5Awas the “best selling Android smartphone in March,” as well as ranking in third place overall behind theiPhone Xand iPhone 8 Plus. Counterpoint also noted this is the first time a Xiaomi smartphone has grabbed the number one spot in global Android smartphone shipments.
The Redmi 5A had a 1.8 percent market share in March, behind the iPhone X’s 3.5 percent and iPhone 8 Plus’ 2.3 percent. TheSamsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plusmade the list too coming in joint fifth and sixth place with a 1.6 percent market share each. Unlike the Redmi 5A, however, the Samsung phones were not available at the beginning of March.
We called the Xiaomi handset a “steal” in ourRedmi 5A reviewand recommended it to “anyone looking for a basic Android smartphone on a budget.” By all accounts, buyers have apparently found it similarly appealing.
Xiaomi rising in Europe
Meanwhile, over in Europe, Canalys saysXiaomihas surpassedAppleandBQin Spain as of Q1 2018.
Xiaomi’s Western European ambitions came to fruition in November 2017, when itlaunched the Mi A1 and Mi Mix 2 in Spain. It’s been just over six months since the launch, but the Chinese brand is apparently now the third biggest vendor in the country.
The new entrant reportedly holds 14.1 percent market share, while third-placed Apple sits at 12.9 percent marketshare. Xiaomi is still a long way from second-placedHuawei(23 percent) and first-placedSamsung(23.9 percent), however.
The results, posted onTwitter by Xiaomi Senior VP Wang Xiang, are also interesting because Apple and Samsung saw market share losses. Meanwhile, HUAWEI and Xiaomi gained a bigger (or new, in Xiaomi’s case) cut of the pie.
Of course, research firms tend to arrive at varying conclusions, measuring data in different ways. But it’s clear the Chinese brand has seen explosive growth here in a very short period of time.
The manufacturer’s Spanish rise is also showing up in European statistics for Q1 2018. Canalyspreviously reportedthat it was already at number four in Europe.
The company isn’t resting yet either, having recentlyannouncedplans to launch in the U.K., Italy and several other European countries too.
Thank you for being part of our community. Read ourComment Policybefore posting.
