Apple Returns To Top 5 in Chinese Smartphone Sales With iPhone 16, IDC Says

Core Insights - Apple regained a top-five position in China's smartphone market for Q3, with a 15.6% market share, down from 16.1% a year ago, but still achieving the second-most sales [1][3] - The Chinese smartphone market saw a year-over-year sales increase of 3.2% to 68.8 million units, driven by a wave of device upgrades despite economic challenges [3] Company Performance - Apple fell out of the top five smartphone sellers in Q2 due to struggling sales in the first half of the year, as domestic competitors like Huawei, vivo, and Xiaomi gained market share [2] - The launch of the iPhone 16 contributed to Apple's recovery in Q3, allowing it to regain its standing among the top sellers [1][3] Market Dynamics - The smartphone market in China is experiencing a recovery fueled by pent-up consumer demand after three years, despite ongoing economic challenges [3] - Apple has not yet integrated its latest AI features into devices in China, which could impact its competitive position against local rivals [3][4] Executive Actions - Apple's CEO Tim Cook visited Beijing to meet with government officials and local partners to garner support for Apple Intelligence [4] - Apple shares increased by less than 1% after market opening, with a notable gain of about 20% in 2024 [4]