Apple’s iPhone achieved record sales in the third quarter of 2024 despite challenges in Asian markets, particularly China and Indonesia.
According to a report from market analysis firm Canalys, Apple achieved its highest-ever sales volume for the third quarter, putting it well within reach of leading the global smartphone market in the third quarter. Apple and Samsung both have 18% market share, with Samsung holding the top spot by a close margin.
This is important because Samsung launched its latest smartphone in July, while Apple’s iPhone 16 series was only launched on September 13th. Canalys analysts believe continued demand for the iPhone 15 played a key role in this performance.
Canalys analyst Runar Bjørhovde said, “Continued strong demand for the iPhone 15 series and Apple’s legacy models played a key role in the third quarter results.”
“The market’s shift towards premium devices intersected with continuous update cycles for devices purchased during the pandemic has benefited Apple, especially in the company’s strongholds such as North America and Europe,” he added. .
newsweek has reached out to Apple for comment via email.
Analysts at Canalys also note that as Apple Intelligence, the AI assistant built into smartphones, continues to expand into new markets and support additional languages, this is expected to continue despite “modest initial reception.” “It will help Apple maintain its strong finish and maintain its momentum through 2024.” In the first half of 2025. ”
Despite its sales performance, the iPhone is currently facing problems in Asia. In China, the company’s smartphone sales have decreased significantly due to factors such as the reported ban on the use of iPhones in government agencies across the country and increased competition from domestic brands such as Huawei. There is.
Apple also faces a possible ban on sales of the iPhone 16 in Indonesia. This is due to the company’s failure to renew certain certifications and fulfill agreed domestic investment commitments.
On October 8, Indonesia’s Industry Minister Agus Gumiwan Kartasasmita confirmed that the iPhone 16 will not be sold in Indonesia until Apple meets its investment obligations and renews its local content certification, known as TKDN.
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“Apple’s iPhone 16 cannot yet be sold in Indonesia as the extension of the TKDN certification is still pending and we are waiting for further investment from Apple to materialize,” Agus said at a press conference in Jakarta.
Agus said Apple had previously obtained the necessary certifications, which allowed it to sell its products in the country. However, that certification has expired and must be renewed.
The situation in China is further complicated by the country’s ban on OpenAI’s ChatGPT, the AI technology that Apple integrated into Siri along with its own Apple Intelligence. This has forced Apple to look for Chinese AI companies to partner with, a move that is crucial to the company’s success in this market.
In 2023, Apple recorded sales of $73 billion in Greater China, accounting for 19% of the company’s total sales. This represents a slight decrease of 2% year over year.
In contrast, Indonesia is part of the broader Asia-Pacific region, with total sales of $30 billion, up 1% year-on-year. These numbers demonstrate China’s importance in Apple’s overall sales, while Indonesia contributes to the broader Asia-Pacific market.
A major highlight of the annual developer conference, where new products and features are announced each year, Apple Intelligence offers advanced AI-powered features such as text summarization, transcription, and custom source transcription. Masu.
Outside of Asia, Apple’s decision to delay the launch of its Apple Intelligence platform in the European Union due to regulatory concerns could also impact 2024 sales. The biggest hurdle is the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which imposes strict rules on technology companies, especially those considered to be “gatekeepers” like Apple.
The DMA mandates interoperability between devices and platforms with the aim of preventing monopolistic behavior. Apple expressed concerns that meeting these requirements would compromise user privacy and product security, leading to the decision to suspend Apple Intelligence in the EU through 2024.
The inability to access these features could lead to consumer dissatisfaction, especially if these technologies are deployed in other regions, particularly the United States and other non-EU regions.
A consumer on There are a lot of them,” he complained to @RjeyTech. This is the Android side. ”
Another X user @pjah91 said: “Disappointed that the Digital Markets Act #DMA is blocking access to Apple Intelligence within the EU. I’m not a fan of gatekeeping, but @Apple’s privacy and security “I understand the concern.”
This regulatory blockade could impact Apple’s growth, given that Europe accounts for nearly a quarter of Apple’s global sales, with revenue from the region expected to be $94.3 billion in 2023. There is a gender.
