The debut of the iPhone 16 allowed Apple to return to second place in the smartphone market in China

The second quarter of this year for Apple’s activities in the Chinese smartphone market was characterized by the company’s departure from the top five largest players, but even a few days of sales of the new iPhone 16 family were enough for the company to regain second place in the third quarter, according to the latest IDC statistics.

Image Source: Apple

Vivo remains the leader of the Chinese smartphone market with a share of 18.6%, which is supported by a 21.5% year-on-year growth in shipments. Although Apple returned to the top five, over the year it still reduced the volume of smartphone shipments in the Chinese market by 0.3%. Its share also decreased from 16.1 to 15.6% compared to the third quarter of last year. As IDC notes, the popularity of iPhone 16 family smartphones in the third quarter was approximately at the same level as last year’s predecessors. Moreover, the company’s efforts to market its products and the release of the Apple Intelligence feature set tailored for Chinese consumers may further stimulate demand for the iPhone 16 in the future.

In total, sales volumes of smartphones in the Chinese market in the third quarter increased by 3.2% year-on-year to 68.8 million units. This is the fourth consecutive quarter of continuous growth, indicating pent-up demand in the region. In the previous three years, buyers, for one reason or another, were forced to postpone the purchase of new smartphones. Devices running Google Android in the third quarter in the Chinese market increased sales volumes by 3.8%.

Image source: IDC

Huawei smartphone shipments in the Chinese market have grown by double-digit percentages for four consecutive quarters. The release of the world’s first tri-fold smartphone should help continue this trend. The company ranks third, its share of the Chinese market over the year increased from 11.1 to 15.3%, and smartphone shipments increased by 42%, the strongest among the top five market participants.

Xiaomi in fourth place increased its share from 13.6 to 14.8%, the volume of shipments of its smartphones increased by 12.8%. Honor closes the top five with a drop in volumes of 22.5%, and its market position decreased from 19.4 to 14.6%. However, in the segment of folding smartphones, the brand’s products occupy second place in the Chinese market. In the fourth quarter, the Chinese market should maintain positive dynamics, according to IDC representatives. Moreover, in November, Chinese trading platforms hold a traditional sale.