Apple Sees Record iPhone Market Share in China in Q4

iPhone maker Apple hit a record 23% market share in China during the fourth quarter.

The milestone helped the company reclaim the number one player for the first time in six years, according to Counterpoint Research.

The move was driven by the “relatively lower starting price” of its iPhone 13 which had strong camera and 5G features.

Sales for the company grew 32% year-on-year in the December quarter, said analysts Counterpoint Research.

Apple saw solid growth despite a 9% decline in China’s overall smartphone sales. This was thanks to its iPhone 13 line-up, which was launched in September.

“The new iPhone 13 has led the success due to a relatively lower starting price at its release in China, as well as the new camera and 5G features,” said Counterpoint Research’s analyst Mengmeng Zhang.

“Furthermore, Huawei, Apple’s main competitor in the premium market, faced declining sales due to the ongoing US sanctions,” he added.

Huawei was once the number one smartphone player in China and the world but has been affected by U.S. sanctions.

Counterpoint Research also said sales in China’s smartphone market fell 2% year-on-year for several reasons.

The global semiconductor and component shortage has impacted the ability for vendors to ship phones, explained Counterpoint Research senior analyst Ivan Lam.

“China’s average smartphone replacement cycle is becoming longer,” Lam said.

The analyst added that China is “experiencing a complex economic environment where exports are driving the growth and domestic spending remains lackluster.”

Disclaimer: We have no position in any of the companies mentioned and have not been compensated for this article.