Apple has lost its long-held position at the top of the Chinese smartphone market. According to the latest data, with the rise of local competitors like Huawei and Vivo, Apple has lost its title as the best-selling smartphone brand in the country. According to data shared by Canalys, Apple’s market share in China has dropped to 15%, while Huawei has risen to 16%, and Vivo to 17%.
Apple iPhone Sales Experience Significant Drop
Apple’s iPhone sales in China have seen a substantial decline. The company sold 51.8 million units in 2023, but this number has dropped to 42.9 million in 2024. Amber Liu, Research Director at Canalys, stated that Apple’s struggles are due to the increasingly tough competition in the Chinese market, with local manufacturers’ high-end phones becoming more popular.

Meanwhile, Vivo is seeing a strong upward trend, and Huawei continues to rapidly increase its market share despite U.S. sanctions. Huawei has made a significant comeback, increasing its smartphone shipments by 37% in 2024.
Due to intense competition in China, Apple’s smartphone shipments dropped by 25% in the fourth quarter. CEO Tim Cook visited China multiple times last year to try to prevent the sales decline. However, as Chinese consumers increasingly turn to local brands, it has become more challenging for Apple to maintain its market share.
The Chinese government also announced last week that it would launch incentive programs for individual smartphone purchases in an effort to stimulate the domestic market. These incentives may provide more advantages to local brands such as Huawei and Vivo.
Do you think Apple can regain its leadership in China? Or will Huawei and Vivo dominate the new era? Share your thoughts in the comments!