China: Apple’s device supplies in China tumbled 19 per share in the first quarter of the year, the worst performance since 2020, as its dominance in the high-end category came under pressure from Huawei’s new product launches, industry data showed.
Apple’s share in the country’s biggest device market fell to 15. From 19 in the first fourth, 7 percent. 7 per cent a month earlier. That put it about level with Huawei, which saw profits jump 70 per share, according to research firm Opposition.
Apple lost its position as the biggest device owner in China to Vivo, falling to second place in the third, followed by Huawei, whose market share increased to 15 percent. 5 per share from 9. 3 per cent a month earlier. Honor, a mass-market company spun out of Huawei, was in second spot.
” Huawei’s return has directly impacted Apple in the premium segment. In addition, Apple’s replacement demand has been significantly down in recent years, according to Retort researcher Ivan Lam in the media release.
The company may return to good territory in the second quarter thanks to the possibility of new color options, Lam said, adding that fortnightly iPhone sales are improving slowly but steadily.
Throughout the first quarter, Apple launched campaigns to entice consumers with discounts, including subsidising certain iPhone models by as much as 1,300 yuan ( US$ 180 ).
After releasing the Mate 60 set in August, Huawei last month released its high-end Pura 70 collection of phones. The Mate 60 was viewed as a rebound for the Foreign company in the high-end market because of the sophisticated device used to power the smartphones, which were described as a defeat over US sanctions against the business.
The device that powers Huawei’s lineup telephone is not as advanced as British chips, according to US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who claimed it showed US restrictions on shipments to the telecoms equipment giant are in place.
Global supplies in China this season should best 50 million products, including 10 million for the Pura 70 line, according to American research firm TechInsights. With a 19 % market share, Huawei would now be the No. 1 seller, up from 12 percent in 2023.
In the first quarter, China’s smartphone market grew 1. 5 per cent, marking the second consecutive quarter of positive growth, according to Counterpoint.