Beijing, Dec 19 (IANS): Concerned over sluggish worldwide smartphone demand, Chinese handset makers Huawei, Vivo and OPPO will reportedly begin 2018 on a slower note as they may cut smartphone orders by over 10 per cent, media reported.

"China-based smartphone brand vendors including Huawei, OPPO and Vivo are taking about less 10 per cent of smartphone shipments than their original orders from the supply chain makers for the fourth quarter of 2017," Taiwanese tech website Digitimes reported.

"Their orders to the supply chain makers for the first quarter of 2018 are also likely to be lower than expected, affecting the performance of most upstream supply chain players during the period," the report added.

However, Xiaomi seems to be the exception when it comes to reducing smartphone shipments.

The company has continued to experience stable sales for its smartphones and it is "one of a few smartphone vendors that are able to stay out of the influence of the unfavourable market trends".

"The Chinese players are reportedly sitting on more inventory as worldwide smartphone demand has dropped," Android Authority reported on Tuesday.

When it comes to Xiaomi, the vendor registered 23.5 per cent market share in India in the third quarter this year, making it the top smartphone player in the country with Samsung which also had 23.5 per cent market share, according to the IDC.