Apple iPhone sales plunge in China after 'stiff competition from resurgent Huawei'

The tech giant's chief competitor in China in premium smartphones, Huawei, saw unit sales rise by 64% in the first six weeks of 2024

Apple began subsidising certain iPhone models by as much as 1,300 yuan (€166) last week through flagship stores on Tmall, Alibaba's major marketplace platform

Apple's iPhone sales in China fell 24% year-on-year in the first six weeks of 2024, according to research firm Counterpoint, as the US company faced increased competition from domestic rivals such as Huawei. 

The tech giant's chief competitor in China in premium smartphones, Huawei, saw unit sales rise by 64% in the period, according to the report. This could fan fears of a slowdown in demand for the US company, whose revenue forecast for the current quarter was $6bn (€5.5bn) below analysts' expectations.