Apple loses smartphone market leadership

Apple has lost its status as the leading smartphone seller in China, ceding ground to local brands Vivo and Huawei. iPhone shipments to the country fell by 17% in 2024, marking the sharpest annual sales decline in Apple’s history.

According to analysts, the downturn persisted throughout the year, including a significant contraction in the fourth quarter, when sales dropped by 25%. 

As a result, Vivo smartphones, which specialise in budget models, captured 17% of the Chinese market, Huawei with its premium devices took 16%, while Apple fell to third place with a 15% share.