Mobile phone sales of foreign brands increment in China during April
Hey there! Today, we're diving into the latest happenings in the Chinese mobile phone market, with a spotlight on foreign-branded mobile sales, particularly Apple iPhones.
Foreign brand sales slump
it turns out that foreign smartphones, primarily iPhones, have taken a hit and seen a significant drop in sales in China. In March 2025, non-Chinese brand smartphone shipments dipped almost 50%, moving from 3.84 million units in March 2024 to about 1.85 million units[1][2].
breakdown of market share
In the first quarter of 2025, Apple held around 14.1% of the Chinese smartphone market share, placing it fifth. Domestic brands like Huawei, Vivo, Xiaomi, and Oppo, have been making a killing with a combined market share of over 85%[2]. Huawei even takes the lead with 19.4% market share, trailed closely by Vivo and Xiaomi[2].
domestic brands growth and market dominance
Chinese brands have managed to strengthen their stance with an 18.4% increase in shipments during March 2025 and a 9% increase for the first quarter of 2025[1][5]. This growth has been fueled by their competitive pricing and the government's subsidy program which supports smartphones priced below CNY 6,000 (around USD 820)[1][5].
comparison with april phone shipments
As for April's shipment figures, they haven't been explicitly stated, but the trend suggests that Chinese brands are still leading the pack, with foreign brands like Apple facing difficulties due to factors such as pricing and market dynamics.
factors influencing competition
The main factors affecting foreign brand sales include price sensitivity, market loyalty, and economic factors.
- Price Sensitivity: The Chinese government's subsidy programs favor cheaper models, giving preference to domestic brands[5].
- Market Loyalty: Chinese consumers have increasingly developed a fondness for domestic brands, drawn towards their competitive pricing and innovative features[2].
- Economic Factors: Factors such as economic conditions, consumer preferences for cheaper options, and government support, have resulted in a market shift in favor of domestic brands.
apple's standing
Apple faces challenges in the Chinese market due to the decline in demand for non-Chinese brands and pricing dynamics. Despite this setback, Apple remains a crucial player in China's premium market[1][5]. Their Pro models continue to be popular, holding a strong presence within the urban Chinese market's premium sector[5].
But that's not all. So, where do you stand amidst all this? Are you Team Apple or Team Domestic? Let us know in the comment section below!
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[1] Source[2] Source[3] Source[4] Source[5] Source
- Foreign brands, particularly iPhones, have experienced a significant drop in sales in China, with non-Chinese brand smartphone shipments plummeting by nearly 50% in March 2025.
- Despite the decline in demand for foreign-branded smartphones and pricing challenges, Apple continues to hold a significant presence in China's premium market, with their Pro models remaining popular among urban Chinese consumers.
- The growth and market dominance of Chinese brands like Huawei, Vivo, Xiaomi, and Oppo can be attributed to factors such as competitive pricing, government subsidies, and consumer preferences for innovative features.
