According to recent data from the International Data Corporation (IDC), Apple has regained its position among the top five smartphone vendors in China for the third quarter (Q3) of 2024.
Apple captured a 15.6% share of the Chinese market, placing it in second position, though slightly down from the 16.1% recorded the previous year. The rise in the sale of Apple smartphones in China is reportedly driven by the launch of the iPhone 16 series.
The iPhone 16 performed better in China than its predecessor three weeks into the phone’s launch, according to a report. The pricier Pro and Pro Max models also made up a larger percentage of the overall mix
Recall that in July 2024, Apple was edged out of the top five smartphone vendors’ list in China in the second quarter, following fierce competition from domestic brands such as Huawei. Apple’s market share in China shrank to 14% in the second quarter, from 15% in the first quarter and 16% in the same period a year ago.
The Cupertino giant which was the third-largest smartphone vendor in the second quarter last year, dropped to the sixth spot with about 9.7 million in shipments. Apple’s performance in the country came under particular scrutiny after reports said government officials had been mandated not to use iPhones for work. Apple, meanwhile, has moved to slash the prices of its phones to boost sales in China.
The recent improved performance in China is due in part to production issues that plagued the iPhone 15 rollout a year ago and likely impacted early sales. Demand for Apple’s new iPhone 16 offering, which went on sale the same day as Huawei released a tri-foldable phone, has been strong. Sales were 20% in the first three weeks since its launch compared to Apple’s 2023 device, Reuters reported.
The uptick has helped to put Apple back into the top five smartphone companies in China, IDC noted. Trailing closely behind is Huawei, which held third place with a 15.3% market share. However, Huawei’s smartphone shipments surged by 42% year-on-year, signaling a significant rebound after years of U.S. sanctions that severely impacted its access to advanced chips and software, thereby stunting its smartphone business.
Since launching its Mate 60 series, featuring an unexpectedly advanced chip, Huawei has been aggressively expanding, even introducing a groundbreaking tri-foldable device, the Mate XT, has intensified competition in China’s smartphone market. Huawei’s strong resurgence has exerted considerable pressure on Apple, especially in China, one of Apple’s largest markets globally.
IDC’s report underscored Huawei’s momentum, noting the company has achieved four consecutive quarters of double-digit growth, a trend expected to continue as the tri-foldable phone drives interest in foldable technology. To bolster its standing, Apple is banking on its iPhone 16 and new Al capabilities, branded as Apple Intelligence, which the company plans to introduce in the U.S this fall.
Notably, Apple CEO Tim Cook recently visited China, meeting with senior government officials and leaders of local tech companies, a move analysts suggest may aim to secure key partnerships to support the rollout of Apple Intelligence.
