Apple's iPhone Sales Dip As Huawei Soars In China's Smartphone Market

Apple has seen a decline in iPhone sales, with a 0.3 per cent drop in the third quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, rival Huawei has seen a 42 per cent increase in sales, intensifying the competition in the world’s largest smartphone market. 

Data from IDC reveals that Apple held a 15.6 per cent market share, down 0.5 percentage points from the previous year, while Huawei claimed a 15.3 per cent share, gaining 4.2 percentage points.

Leading the market is Vivo, which specializes in budget devices, capturing 18.6 per cent of the market. The contrasting fortunes of Apple and Huawei follow Huawei's successful reentry into the premium segment last year with its Mate 60 series, which reportedly features domestically produced chips. Additionally, Huawei's release of the Pura 70 model earlier this year has further solidified its position against Apple.

Apple has been navigating challenges in China, including restrictions on iPhone usage within some government agencies. In an effort to counteract these difficulties, the tech giant has launched multiple discount campaigns aimed at boosting sales. The debut of the new iPhone 16 on September 20 has shown promise, as it experienced a 20 per cent increase in sales during the first three weeks compared to the previous year’s models.

Overall, the Chinese smartphone market recorded a 3.2 per cent growth in the third quarter, totaling 68.78 million units sold. Analysts anticipate that Apple's increased marketing efforts and the upcoming Apple Vision Pro could enhance demand for the iPhone 16 series in the future.