0519 GMT - China's smartphone makers could face more pressure ahead amid higher prices of memory and other components, Counterpoint Research says in a note. Despite a double-digit drop in 2Q smartphones sold to consumers compared with the previous year, shipment to retailers only fell 1%, Counterpoint data shows. This is because phone makers had built up inventory in anticipation of further memory-price hikes, it says. Huawei maintained its leadership in China, with a 23% market share, while Apple ranked second, with 18% of the market. Xiaomi, whose 2Q shipments dropped 21% on year, took the biggest hit, mainly due to its heavy reliance on low-end models, the research firm says. To cope with higher costs, smartphone makers could raise prices further in the coming months, which would put pressure on their shipments, it adds.