Apple Tops China's Smartphone Market for First Time in 2023

Despite a shrinking market, Apple's strategic pricing and promotions helped it outperform local competitors, including a resurgent Huawei.

Apple became the leading smartphone seller in China for the first time ever in 2023, capturing 17.3% of the market share, according to International Data Corporation (IDC).
Despite a 5% overall decline in China's smartphone market in 2023, Apple's shipments fell only 2.2%, indicating strong demand for the iPhone.
Apple's success is attributed to timely price promotions in its third-party channels, stimulating demand amid renewed competition from Huawei.
Huawei, once out of the picture due to US sanctions, has re-emerged as a key competitor in China, securing a 13.9% market share in Q4 of 2023.
Analysts predict that Apple's sales will come under pressure again in 2024, with Huawei expected to bolster its market share.