2024-04-25 23:03:16
In the first quarter, Apple’s share of the world’s largest smartphone market fell to 15.7 percent. – from 19.7 percent a year ago. That put it almost on par with Huawei, whose sales jumped 70 percent, according to research firm Counterpoint.
Apple lost its crown as China’s biggest smartphone seller, falling to third place in the quarter – while Huawei, which had a market share of 9.3% from grew to 15.5 percent a year ago, ranked third. In second place was Honor, a brand separated from Huawei.
Huawei’s return directly affected Apple in the high-end segment. Also, compared to previous years, demand for Apple’s alternative was slightly lower,” Counterpoint analyst Ivan Lam said in a press release.
“The possibility of new color options in the second quarter, combined with aggressive sales initiatives, could bring the brand back into positive territory,” Lam said, adding that he sees a slow but steady improvement in weekly iPhone sales.
China is the third largest market for Apple, which earned about 17 percent for the US company in October-December. of all her income.
Apple lost market share in China after data showed earlier this month that the US company would account for the first half of global smartphone shipments in 2024. decreased by almost 10 percent in the quarter. – due to increasing competition from Android smartphone makers led by Samsung Electronics.
In the first quarter, Samsung took over from Apple as the top phone maker.
Shares of Apple were down 0.4 percent in pre-morning trading on Tuesday. The stock has fallen about 14 percent so far this year and posted its worst weekly performance in more than eight months on Friday.
In the first quarter, Apple ran campaigns in China to lure consumers with discounts, including subsidizing certain iPhone models by up to 1,300 yuan (about 170 euros).
Last week, after launching the Mate 60 series in August, Huawei launched the Pura 70 series of high-end phones.
The Mate 60 has been seen as the Chinese company’s return to the high-end market and has been described as a triumph in overcoming sanctions against the US company – as the phones use an advanced chip made in China.
On Sunday, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the chip used in Huawei’s flagship was not as advanced as American chips, saying it showed US restrictions were affecting the telecom equipment giant.
Canadian research firm TechInsights expects more than 50 million units to be shipped to China this year. of smartphone units, including 10 million Pura 70 series devices. That would make Huawei the No. 1 vendor. 1 and occupy 19 percent. market share, which in 2023 was 12 percent.
China’s smartphone market grew by 1.5 percent in the first quarter. — which is the second consecutive quarter of positive growth, according to Counterpoint.
Prepared by Reuters.
2024-04-25 23:03:16