Xiaomi becomes world's second largest smartphone maker

Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp overtook Apple Inc in the second quarter to become the world's No 2 smartphone maker, market research firm Canalys said in a report on Thursday.

Xiaomi took the second spot for the first time with 17 per cent share of worldwide smartphone shipments, up 3 per cent from the previous quarter, according to the research firm.

Global smartphone shipments grew 12 per cent in the second quarter, led by Samsung Electronics with a 19 per cent share, and Apple at third place with a 14 per cent share.

The average selling price of Xiaomi phones is about 40 per cent to 75 per cent cheaper compared with Samsung and Apple respectively, Canalys Research Manager Ben Stanton said, adding that a major priority for Xiaomi this year is to grow sales of its high-end devices.

The company's shipments jumped more than 300 per cent in Latin America, 150 per cent Africa and 50 per cent in Western Europe, the report said.