HONOR Ranks Second in Middle East Smartphone Market Amidst Regional Decline

HONOR has secured the second position among smartphone vendors in the Middle East for the first half of 2026, a significant achievement in a market that saw a 13% year-on-year decline. The company reported a substantial 35% growth in shipments during the same period, distinguishing itself as the sole major brand to expand its presence in the region.

The growth was primarily driven by the mid-to-high-end smartphone segments. In the $300–$500 price bracket, HONOR captured a 24% market share in Q1 2026, marking a 130% increase year-over-year. Key products like the HONOR X9d, lauded for its durability and battery life, and the HONOR 600 Series contributed significantly to this expansion.

In the United Arab Emirates, HONOR focused on building its premium image and ecosystem sales strategy. This involved opening several HONOR Experience Stores and authorized service centers in key locations like Dubai Festival City Mall and Abu Dhabi, aiming to attract consumers with high disposable income to its range of laptops, tablets, and wearables.

Saudi Arabia continues to be a crucial market for HONOR, where it holds the top position in tablet market share and has experienced over 500% growth in its AIoT business. The company has expanded its retail footprint to 25 HONOR Experience Stores and invested in a new contact center and 16 service centers to support its operations.

Structurally, HONOR's most significant move is the expansion of its manufacturing facility in Egypt, outside Cairo. This site, its first outside China, is being scaled to an annual capacity of three million smartphones and will serve as an export hub for Africa and the wider Arab world, reducing logistics costs and import barriers.