Already the world's largest personal computer maker, Lenovo also became the third-largest smartphone maker with nearly 8 percent of the global market.

Equipped with a 4G chip developed by the company's subsidiary HiSilicon, Lenovo launched the Honor 6 last year, which "shifted its strategy of using smartphone chips from Qualcomm and MediaTek for its high-end products", said Alan Chen, a smartphone analyst at TrendForce.

"HiSilicon's product roadmap shows that in future it will pursue R&D on mid-level and lower-end products. Huawei has also determined to eventually become self-reliant in chip supply," said Chen.

With approximately 70 million handsets shipped in 2014, Huawei was ranked No 5 in global sales, but chief executive Lei Jun told the launch of the company's new flagship product－a large-screen smartphone with features similar to the iPhone 6 Plus, but at a fraction in price－"it is time for the world to feel the beauty of Chinese innovation".

Last year Xiaomi sold more than 61 million smartphones, a 227 percent surge on 2013.

The majority of its products were still sold in China but the 5-year-old company is striving to recreate its miracle in countries such as India and Indonesia where affordable phones are in huge demand.

Lenovo, Huawei and smaller players such as ZTE Corp and Vivo also have ambitious plans to explore emerging markets.

Kiranjeet Kaur, senior analyst of client devices research at IDC Asia/Pacific, said Chinese vendors have previously been focused on the $100 and $200 price range.

"But they are also now trying to differentiate their product offering, through concerted moves into the mid-range to-high-end segments," Kaur said.