📰 Apple Dethroned as China's Smartphone Leader in 2024
Vivo and Huawei surpass Apple in 2024, claiming the top spots in China's competitive smartphone market.
In a surprising turn of events, Apple AAPL 0.00%↑ has lost its position as the top smartphone brand in China. Local giants Vivo and Huawei have taken the lead in 2024, according to Canalys data. Apple’s market share dropped by a significant 17%, its worst performance in China since 2016. Now, Apple holds just 15% of the market, while Vivo leads with 17% and Huawei follows closely at 16%, showing a clear shift in consumer loyalty.
The decline was especially sharp in the fourth quarter, with iPhone shipments falling by 25%. Vivo’s rise is mostly due to its affordable smartphones, while Huawei has made a strong comeback in the premium market, thanks to locally-made chips.
Several factors are hurting Apple’s sales in China, including the lack of advanced AI features in its latest models and the fact that services like ChatGPT aren’t available there. At the same time, Huawei has launched impressive new flagships, and foldable phones are growing in popularity, pushing Apple to compete harder.
In an attempt to boost sales, Apple introduced rare discounts on its iPhone 16 models, cutting prices by as much as 500 yuan ($68.50). However, despite these efforts, Apple’s stronghold in China is slipping as local brands continue to innovate and attract more consumers.
With Vivo, Huawei, and Xiaomi gaining ground, Apple’s future in China looks uncertain. The competition for the top spot is tougher than ever, and it’s clear that local brands are now driving the smartphone market in China.
Source: Reuters, Canalys, Firstpost
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