(Yicai Global) Sept. 22 -- Realme’s smartphone shipments jumped 135 percent in the second quarter from a year ago, ranking the Chinese startup sixth globally for the first time, thanks to the popularity of entry-level fifth-generation handsets in emerging markets.

Shenzhen-based Realme shipped 15 million smartphones in the three months ended June 30, according to data released today by market researcher Counterpoint. 5G handsets accounted for 37 percent of that, an increase from 22.7 percent in the first quarter.

In the same period, Samsung shipped 57.6 million units; Xiaomi, 52.5 million; Apple, 48.9 million; Oppo, 33.6 million; and Vivo, 32.5 million.

Major smartphone makers have increased the number of 5G products in their portfolios, especially in emerging markets. As a result, shipments of 5G handsets grew 6.5 percent from the previous quarter in those markets despite a decline of 5 percent in smartphone shipments in the same markets, the report said.

5G phone shipments in India jumped 75.5 percent in the quarter compared with the first quarter, and the strong performance is expected to continue through the year. Shipments of 5G handsets in Southeast Asia may also increase in the second half, but real breakneck growth will have to wait until next year when major countries in the region begin large-scale commercial rollout of 5G services, Counterpoint added.

Founded in May 2018 by Li Bingzhong, a former vice president of Oppo, Realme mainly focuses on emerging markets and young users. Strategy Analytics previously disclosed that Realme had reached total shipments of 100 million smartphones at the end of June, making it the world’s fastest-growing smartphone brand.

Editor: Tom Litting