(Yicai Global) Jan. 15 -- Huawei Technologies Co. has become the third most popular smartphone brand in Russia after Samsung and Apple last year, the Russian state-run media organization Sputnik reported yesterday, citing statistics from the country's largest mobile operator MTC.

Huawei posted an unprecedented sales growth in Russia in 2017, it said. The sales volume of its smartphones rose 5.3 percent, and revenues climbed 4.7 percent, accounting for 9.6 percent and 8.5 percent of Russia's total, the report noted.

South Korea's Samsung remained the bestselling brand in Russia, with a 3.5 percent increase in market share by sales. iPhone sales volume nudged up 1.7 percent, claiming a market share of 12.8 percent.

Another Chinese phone maker Xiaomi Inc. also ranked among the five most popular smartphone brands in Russia. Its sales volume was up 3.3 percent, bringing the firm's market share to 3.9 percent by volume and 3.7 percent by revenue. Smartphone sales rose 6 percent to 28.4 million units in Russia last year, hitting an all-time high.