Apple Under Increasing Pressure in China. Deliveries of iPhone in the fourth quarter they fell by 25%, compared to the 24% growth recorded by smartphones Huawei, the most aggressive rival. A performance that becomes even more worrying if we take into account that in the same period the Chinese market has shown signs of recovery.
China: Apple Holds Lead, But Slump Is Heavy
Despite a sharp decline in the last three months of last year, Apple has managed to maintain its lead in the Chinese smartphone market. According to data from research firm Canalys, the Cupertino company is the leader with 13,1 million of units (17% market share), narrowly beating Huawei at 12,9 million, in growing competition involving other Chinese players.
Total shipments in the fourth quarter in China they rose by 5% year-on-year to 77,4 million units driven by the high-end peak season, government subsidies and year-end promotions, while full-year 2024 sales increased by 4% to 285 million. Overall, smartphone sales in China rebounded last year after two years of decline.
“While Apple and its iPhone 15 series maintained their lead in the fourth quarter, they now have to face the increasing pressure from competitors nationals like Huawei” noted analyst Amber Liu, quoted by the Ansa agency which reported a Reuters launch.