Apple’s iPhone Sales Dip 0.3% as Huawei Surges 42%

AFP

Beijing: Apple’s iPhone sales in China saw a slight decline of 0.3 percent in the third quarter of 2024, while rival Huawei experienced a significant surge, with sales jumping 42 percent. This shift intensifies the competition in the world’s largest smartphone market.

According to data from research firm IDC released on Friday, Apple secured second place with a 15.6 percent market share, down 0.5 percentage points year-on-year. Meanwhile, Huawei claimed third place with a market share of 15.3 percent, gaining 4.2 percentage points. Vivo, which focuses primarily on budget phones, retained the top spot with an 18.6% market share.

Huawei’s resurgence can be attributed to its successful re-entry into the premium segment last year with the Mate 60 series, which reportedly features domestically produced chips. The tech giant has further bolstered its competitive edge with the recent release of its Pura 70 model.

Apple has faced additional challenges in the Chinese market, including restrictions on iPhone use among certain government agencies. In response, the US tech company has launched multiple discount campaigns to stimulate sales.

Despite these challenges, the launch of the iPhone 16 on September 20 contributed to a strong performance, with initial sales in China reportedly 20 percent higher than those of the 2023 models, according to separate data from Counterpoint.

IDC noted, “With its annual new product launch, Apple returned to China’s top five market rankings with a 15.6 percent market share.” They also highlighted that with ongoing market promotions and the upcoming launch of Apple Vision Pro, demand for the iPhone 16 series is expected to grow.

Overall, smartphone sales in China increased by 3.2 percent in the third quarter, totaling 68.78 million units.