Apple rises to second place in China’s smartphone market with launch of iPhone 16 [Report]

Apple has returned to the top five smartphone manufacturers in China with the launch of the iPhone 16, according to a new report from the International Data Corporation (IDC).

China’s smartphone shipments are estimated to increase 3.2% year-on-year to 68.8 million units in Q3 2024, marking the fourth consecutive quarterly increase. This expansion was driven by a surge in device upgrades driven by sustained pent-up demand.

“A large wave of device upgrades is driving the sustained recovery of China’s smartphone market,” said Arthur Guo, senior research analyst at IDC China Client Systems Research. “Despite ongoing economic challenges, consumers are more willing to buy new smartphones after three years of pent-up demand.”

IDC says initial sales of the iPhone 16 will be on par with the iPhone 15. We expect upcoming promotions and the launch of Apple Intelligence to help drive future demand.

Jacob Zhu, Research Analyst, Client Devices, IDC Asia/Pacific. “This momentum will be further strengthened by the early release of flagship models from major brands and the early kick-off of the Singles’ Day shopping festival.”

For more information, please see the full report linked below…

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