Huawei ranked as the top smartphone vendor in China in the third quarter of 2015, while Xiaomi Technology fell to second place, according to an estimate by Canalys.

This is Huawei's first time at the top of China's competitive smartphone market. The company powered its way to first place with an 81% on year shipment growth in the third quarter, said the market research firm.

In contrast, Xiaomi's shipments shrank on year in the quarter as it struggled to sustain its high growth.

Xiaomi, with a worldwide shipment target of 80 million smartphones for 2015, is under tremendous pressure as it is slowing down in its key home market, Canalys commented.