Huawei Technologies overtook Apple to become the world's second-biggest smartphone maker in the first quarter, moving a step closer to its avowed ambition of displacing Samsung at the top of the market.

The Chinese tech giant, shrugging off a barrage of accusations that it aids espionage for China (which it's repeatedly denied), grew shipments 50 per cent from a year earlier, research firm IDC estimates.

It was the only name in the top four that managed to expand volumes as the overall market slid for the sixth consecutive quarter.

Tech giant Huawei now sells more smartphones than Apple. Credit:AP

"It is becoming increasingly clear that Huawei is laser focused on growing its stature in the world of mobile devices, with smartphones being its lead horse," said Ryan Reith, program vice president with IDC's Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers.