Based on data from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), CNBC said that foreign brands' mobile phone sales here fell to 3.04 million units in November 2024, down 47.4% year-on-year and down 51% from a month earlier.

CAICT does not break down the figures for individual brands, but Apple accounts for the majority of foreign phone sales in China. Rivals like Samsung hold a very small market share.

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Apple is facing a lot of pressure in the Chinese smartphone market. Photo: Shutterstock

According to CNBC, the figures show the pressure Apple is facing in the world's largest smartphone market as it has to compete with a series of domestic brands.

For example, Huawei has risen strongly since late 2023 and actively launched high-end devices that are popular with domestic users.

According to research firm IDC, Huawei's growth (42%) is expected to outpace Apple's (down 0.3%) in the third quarter of 2024. Apple hopes that the iPhone 16 series will help regain growth momentum in China with its new AI software suite. However, Apple Intelligence is not yet available in the mainland due to complex AI regulations. Meanwhile, some of Apple's domestic rivals are promoting their own AI features.

To emphasize the importance of China to the company, Apple CEO Tim Cook made several business trips in 2024. In addition, the "bitten apple" also reduced the price of devices for 4 days to stimulate shopping.

(According to CNBC)