(Telecompaper) The number of smartphones shipped on the Chinese market slipped 4 percent year-on-year to 98.8 million units, the first decline in six years, as the China smartphone market continues to mature, a report by the IDC revealed. On a sequential basis, the market contracted 8 percent on the back of a large inventory buildup at the end of last year. IDC expects relatively flat growth for China this year as the market becomes increasingly saturated. Most of the market's growth will come from sub-USD 150 phones as feature phone users switch to low-cost smartphones. Convincing existing users as well as feature phone users to upgrade to new smartphones will now be the key to further growth in the China market, the report said. Apple was the top smartphone vendor, with its market share growing to 14.7 percent from 8.7 percent the year before, and the number of devices shipped going to 14.5 million from 8.9 million. Xiaomi fell to second position as it faced strong competition from other vendors in the low to mid-range segment of the market, with its market share still rising to 13.7 percent from 9.2 percent and the number of devices shipped going to 13.5 million from 9.5 million. Huawei maintained third position as it saw a good uptake in the mid-range segment. Its market share lifted to 11.4 percent from 7.8 percent and the number of devices shipped went to 11.2 million from 8.0.