The Huawei Consumer Business Group plans to tap into artificial intelligence and machine learning to sustain growth experienced within the smartphone space, reinforcing its plan to secure a top two position within South Africa's smartphone market.

According to its 2017 first half-year financial results, the company reported a 36.2% year-on-year increase in sales revenue to CNY105.4 billion (approximately US$16bn), with smartphone shipments up by 20.6% to 73.01 million.

Likun Zhao, GM of Huawei Consumer Business Group South Africa, said the company has experienced growth within the mid-to-high end smartphone market, as a result of focus on its premium flagship line and its P and M Series offerings.

"Following European trends our growth has largely been in the P and M series in the $600 price band. We will continue to innovate at the high end and capture premium users," said Zhao.

In Q1 2017, Huawei's market share rose to 9.8% of the global smartphone market, according to industry analysts IDC. According to the company, in June, GFK stated that, in terms of value, it had between 14 and 15% of the SA market.

In April this year the company reiterated its intention to build on its 2015-2016 year-on-year growth rate of 87% in South Africa.

The strategy outlined at the time included a focus on 5G, and assisting operators to migrate from 3G to 4G, and scale up accordingly.

Zhao added that the country remains among the top performers in terms of Huawei global sales.

In a statement the company explained that it will utilise its 15 global research centres and 36 joint innovation centres to work on new technologies including sensors, data management and advances to its Kirin chipset to support the delivery of intelligent devices.

The company also announced collaboration with the likes of Leica, Dolby, Microsoft, Intel and Google.