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Smartphone shipments in China declined by 2.4% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2024, according to a report by Counterpoint Research. The overall market showed signs of stagnation amid continued macroeconomic uncertainty and weak consumer sentiment.
Despite the broader slowdown, Huawei saw strong momentum, with its smartphone sales surging 17.6% compared to the same period last year. The Chinese tech giant reclaimed the top position in the domestic market with an 18.1% share of total shipments. The growth is attributed to Huawei’s expanded product lineup and strong demand for its HarmonyOS-powered devices.
Meanwhile, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) experienced a modest sales decline of 1.6% year-on-year. The U.S. tech giant continues to face stiff competition from Chinese manufacturers and increasing regulatory scrutiny in the region. The launch of the iPhone 16 series in September 2024 helped cushion some of the losses but failed to reverse the overall trend.
Following Huawei in shipment rankings were Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi (OTC: XIACF), which continued to hold significant market shares but faced challenges in growing amid the tough economic climate and saturation in the mid-to-low-end segments.
Counterpoint analysts noted that while premium models continue to perform relatively well, the mid-tier segment is under pressure, and the market may remain subdued in the coming quarters.
The shift in consumer preference towards homegrown brands like Huawei highlights an evolving dynamic in China’s smartphone market. As domestic players ramp up innovation and ecosystem integration, foreign brands may need to recalibrate their strategies to maintain relevance.
Searches related to smartphone market trends, Huawei growth, and Apple China sales are expected to spike as stakeholders monitor the competitive landscape in the world’s largest smartphone market.
