Chinese smartphone vendor Xiaomi soared to become the world's No 2 smartphone vendor for the first time in the second quarter of this year, according to market research company Canalys.

Following Samsung with 19 percent of all smartphone shipments, Xiaomi took second place with a 17 percent share.

Xiaomi is growing its overseas business rapidly with shipments increasing more than 300 percent in Latin America, 150 percent in Africa and 50 percent in Western Europe, said Canalys Research Manager Ben Stanton.

Global smartphone shipments increased 12 percent in the second quarter of this year, as COVID-19 rolled out around the world and while China saw rapid recovery in its economy.

Let's take a look at world's top five smartphone vendors in the second quarter of this year.