According to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC), Apple has secured the leading position among smartphone companies in China for the first time in 2023, capturing a record-high market share of 17.3%.
This transformation on the global stage mirrors changes within China, the world’s largest smartphone market. Based on IDC data, China experienced a 5.0% decline in smartphone shipments, totaling 271.3 million units in 2023 — a decade-low volume attributed to a slow economic recovery and weakened consumer sentiment.
Despite ongoing challenges in the Chinese smartphone market, signs of recovery surfaced in the fourth quarter of 2023 (4Q23), witnessing a year-over-year growth of 1.2%. This marked the end of 10 consecutive quarters of decline, driven by resilient high-end consumers in tier 1-3 cities, stimulating demand for flagship products. However, the market’s overall growth was impeded by weak demand for low- to mid-range devices, which constitute over half of China’s smartphone market.
Read:
IDC projects decline in PC shipments in 2023
IDC reports 2.7% decline in PC shipments for Q3 2023
“Apple’s climb to the top spot in 2023, especially in light of renewed competition from Huawei and the soft spending sentiment, marks a tremendous success for Apple,” said Arthur Guo, senior research analyst in Client System Research for IDC China. “Apple achieved this thanks to timely price promotions in its third-party channels, which stimulated demand.”
Honor maintained its position as the second-largest smartphone company, benefiting from improved channel partnerships and a comprehensive product strategy that included a successful foldable lineup for the high end and popular models for the low-to-mid range.
“One key highlight we shouldn’t miss in 4Q23 was the return of Huawei to the Top 5 ranking after more than two years,” said Will Wong, senior research manager for Client Devices at IDC Asia/Pacific. “This will only intensify the competition as no vendors will want to lose a top 5 position in the world’s largest smartphone market.”