0242 GMT - Rising semiconductor costs are expected to force Chinese smartphone manufacturers to increase prices in 2H, which could weigh on consumer demand, says Counterpoint Research. Smartphone sales in China fell 8.6% on year in the first 30 weeks of 2026. The decline in sales post the 618 shopping festival widened to double digits due to price hikes and seasonal weakness, the research firm says. Despite the cost pressure, Huawei has maintained the lead with a weekly market share above 20% since 2Q, driven by strong demand for an entry-level model. In the 30th week, Xiaomi is at second place, while Apple has entered its typical seasonal slump before the introduction of the new iPhone series, it says.