In Q3 2024, Apple faced a slight 0.3% decline in iPhone sales in China, as competition from Huawei, which achieved a 42% growth during the same period, surged.
Data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) reveals Apple maintained its standing as the second-largest smartphone vendor in China, holding a 15.6% market share despite a year-on-year dip of 0.5 percentage points.
Meanwhile, Huawei, climbing to third place with 15.3%, saw a market share increase of 4.2 percentage points.
Vivo emerged as the leading smartphone brand, capturing an 18.6% share, largely due to its affordable models that continue to align with the demands of the Chinese market.
Huawei’s resurgence in the premium smartphone segment, especially with its Mate 60 series powered by an advanced domestic chip, has further intensified competition with Apple, particularly in the high-end category. The release of Huawei’s Pura 70 model earlier in the year has added to its competitive edge.
Apple’s market performance in China has been hindered by a series of obstacles, including restrictions on iPhone use within certain government departments.
In response, Apple introduced several discount campaigns to stimulate sales, which were further bolstered by the launch of its latest iPhone 16 on 20 September.
The iPhone 16 launch day coincided with Huawei’s release of a tri-foldable phone, accentuating the rivalry between the two tech giants.
Sales of the iPhone 16 showed promise, with a 20% increase in the first three weeks compared to the 2023 model, according to data from Counterpoint Research.
The success of the new model has helped Apple maintain its place among China’s top five smartphone brands, and market projections disclose that demand may continue to rise as promotional efforts intensify and the Apple Vision Pro is anticipated to drive further interest.
China’s smartphone market grew by 3.2% in Q3 2024, with total sales reaching 68.78 million units. Despite the growth, Apple is challenged in China as local brands, led by Huawei and Vivo, continue to expand their influence in the world’s largest smartphone market.
