iPhone shipments fell by 15% year-on-year in China during the first quarter of the year according to Counterpoint Research data. Apple saw its market share in the country fall from 12.3% in Q1 2016 to 10.1% Q1 2017.
The main reason for the fall at a time when smartphone sales in China are still growing was far stronger competition from local brands …
Oppo saw its shipments soar by 81%, Vivo by 60% and Huawei by 25%. Interestingly, Xiaomi – which has made a business out of copying Apple products – saw its own shipments fall by 34%.
But even Xiaomi wasn’t the worst hit: Samsung shipments fell by a massive 60% year-on-year.
Apple’s slump isn’t surprising when viewed in context. While the Chinese smartphone market as a whole grew by 4%, the fastest growth was for mid-tier handsets below Apple’s price bands.
In fact, Apple’s 15% drop is impressive when you consider how the premium smartphone segment has been faring in China.
Within the premium price tier, Apple holds five of the top ten slots – including all of the top four.
Samsung was the only other non-Chinese brand, with the S7 Edge in 8th place.
Source: Counterpoint via CNET
