In the latest report on China's smartphone market, Huawei has surged back to the forefront, leaving Apple trailing behind.
According to data from analytics company Canalys (via Nikkei Asia), Huawei has reclaimed its dominance in the Chinese smartphone market, with a staggering 17% market share.
The company shipped 11.7 million smartphones in the first quarter of 2024, a significant 70% increase over the previous year.
This impressive performance comes after Huawei faced significant challenges from US sanctions, which limited its access to American technology.
On the other hand, Apple, once a dominant player in China, has seen a major decline. The tech giant fell to fifth place in the rankings, dropping Chinese shipments by 25% to around 10 million units.
The decline in Apple's numbers is indicative of the intensifying competition in China's smartphone market, where local vendors like Huawei, Oppo, and Vivo are gaining momentum.
Notably, Oppo rose to second place in the rankings, buoyed by the success of its Reno 11 series, while Vivo maintained its position in the top four despite a slight decrease in shipments.
Huawei Overtakes Apple in the Chinese Smartphone Market
Huawei's success can be attributed to a number of factors. The company's strategic release of new flagship smartphones, such as the Mate 60 Pro, has been well received by consumers despite outcry from US authorities.
Furthermore, Huawei's development of its own operating system, HarmonyOS, has enabled it to set itself apart from competitors while reducing reliance on Google's Android ecosystem. With HarmonyOS installed on over 800 million devices, Huawei is well-positioned to challenge Android and iOS's dominance in China and elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Apple's declining sales in China indicate a difficult period for the tech giant in one of its most important markets. Despite recent efforts to strengthen its ties with China, such as the recent opening of a flagship store in Shanghai and the expansion of its R&D center, Apple has struggled to reverse the decline in iPhone sales.
Apple CEO Tim Cook recently sounded the importance of China to the company's strategy, but the latest data suggests that Apple's grip on the Chinese market is slipping.
Apple's Declining Numbers in China
Back in March, Apple's share of the Chinese smartphone market was reported to be at 15.7%, down from 19% the previous year. In contrast, Huawei's market share has expanded to 16.5%, securing its position in second place.
The overall smartphone market in China has also experienced a 7% decline, indicating a challenging landscape for manufacturers.
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