(Yicai) Aug 4 -- China's Transsion Holdings, which makes handsets under brands Tecno, Itel, and Infinix, logged double-digit growth in sales in the second quarter to become the fifth-biggest phonemaker in the world for the first time.

Sales rose by 31 percent to 24.8 million units in the three-month period from a year ago, according to a report by TechInsights. The Shenzhen-based company, which focuses on the markets of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, as well as Central and Latin America, was the only supplier to achieve double-digit growth during the quarter.

The global leader is Samsung Electronics but its shipments fell 14 percent to 53.5 million units, resulting in a 20 percent market share, per the same source. Apple is No. 2 as its shipments declined by 9 percent to 43.1 million units, making up 16 percent of the total market. China's Xiaomi came in third as its global market share was 12 percent while its shipments fell 16 percent from a year earlier to 33.2 million units. Oppo, the maker of OnePlus phones, accounted for 10 percent of the global market while its shipments dropped by 2 percent to 27.1 million units.

Global shipments of smartphones declined by 8 percent to 269 million units in the second quarter from a year earlier, the eighth consecutive quarter of falling. However, the pace of sliding has slowed from double-digit declines in the past two quarters, which could mean that the trend could turn into growth in the second half.

Editor: Emmi Laine