Beijing-based smartphone maker Xiaomi saw its smartphone shipments soar 58 percent on year to 23.2 million units for a 6 percent global share in the second quarter of 2017 when global shipments gained 6 percent on year to 360.4 million, according to research from Strategy Analytics.

Chinese mobile maker Xiaomi recaptured fifth place, in the global smartphone vendors ranking for the first time in a year, with Samsung maintaining its lead as the top vendor in the second quarter, with shipments growing 2 per cent on year to 79.5 million units for a 22 per cent share in the second quarter according to the market research firm.

‘Samsung continued its recovery from last year’s Galaxy Note 7 battery fiasco, lifted by robust demand for the new Galaxy S8 portfolio with an innovative bezel-less design. We expect the rumoured Galaxy Note 8 upgrade with a bigger screen to further strengthen Samsung in the coming weeks,’ said Neil Mawston, ED at Strategy Analytics.

Meanwhile, Apple grew 1 percent annually to 41.0 million smartphones for 11.4 percent marketshare worldwide in Q2 2017, down slightly from 12 percent a year ago. For those unfamiliar, Apple is struggling to remain competitive in China as local players continue to dominate. Consequently, this is placing a cap on its worldwide performance.

Nonetheless, all eyes will be on Apple’s upcoming flagship iPhone 8 scheduled to be unveiled on 12 September. Whether the tech titan's 'tenth-anniversary flagship model will be different or exciting enough to ignite a rebound for the iPhone maker’s volumes in Q4 2017' remains to be seen.