Report: Apple gains ground in China as smartphone shipments hit 14-year low in Q3
Rising memory prices continue to weigh on the global smartphone market, with shipments in China alone falling 10% year over year in Q3. Here are the details. more…
A new report from Counterpoint Research indicates that Apple has gained ground in China's smartphone market, as shipments hit a 14-year low in Q3 2026. The report reveals that smartphone shipments in China declined by 10% year over year, with Apple increasing its share to 19.5%, up 4.8 percentage points from the previous year. This marked a shift in the market, as Apple moved from sixth place to second place, while Huawei maintained a 21.3% share.
Counterpoint Research attributes Apple's rise in market share to the strong launch of the iPhone 18 Pro series in China, with sales of the Pro models up 23.5% year over year during the first three weeks. However, the report also highlights that rising smartphone prices are causing consumers to delay upgrades or opt for refurbished devices, potentially impacting demand in the final quarter of the year.
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