According to data from research firm IDC, Apple (AAPL, Financial) returned to the top five in the smartphone business by market share in China in the third quarter of 2024. The introduction of the iPhone 16 series has enabled the US tech giant to remain competitive in the Chinese market. Sales had been declining compared to the previous year, which was the impetus for this revival.
Meanwhile, Apple’s third quarter shipments decreased by 0.3% compared to the same period last year. But domestic competitor Huawei has made a significant recovery after years of hardship due to U.S. sanctions and supply chain restrictions. Sales increased 42% compared to the same period last year. Huawei’s successful introduction of creative products, such as the first tri-fold mobile phone “Mate XT”, which is expected to revitalize the foldable market, contributed to the business development.
Total smartphone shipments in China in the third quarter were 68.8 million units, an increase of 3.2% year-on-year, marking the fourth consecutive quarterly increase. This expansion was fueled by a sustained pent-up demand for gadget upgrades, especially as producers added innovative technologies and features to fascinate consumers.
Vivo maintained its leadership in the Chinese smartphone market with a share of 18.6% (up from 15.8% in the same period last year) due to excellent product positioning across both main and sub-brands. Vivo confirmed its dominance with a notable 21.5% year-on-year increase.
Apple’s second-largest share of the Chinese market was 15.6%, down slightly from 16.1% in Q3 2023. Huawei followed closely, increasing its market share from 11.1% to 15.3% year-on-year. Strong customer demand for Huawei’s premium products, especially in the foldable phone category, helped the company make a comeback in the Chinese market.
With a market share of 14.8%, Xiaomi (XIACF, Financials) continued its upward trajectory, reaching its sixth consecutive quarter of expansion. The company’s success has been driven by its dual focus on providing high-end gadgets and on budget-conscious customers. Especially in the premium market, Xiaomi’s stated development of a 3 nm mobile system-on-chip has strengthened its competitive advantage.
Honor still ranks in the top five, but its market share has declined from 23.9% in Q3 2023 to 21.1%. Still, the brand was a major participant in the field of foldable phones, with new models such as the Magic Flip and Magic V3 contributing. Land of Honor is second in this market.
