A new study by Counterpoint Research has shown that Apple's share of the global smartphone market is expected to decline in 2024 (compared to the previous year), while Chinese manufacturers have managed to expand their presence around the world.
There was a 2% drop in iPhone sales year-on-year, despite the broader smartphone market growing 4%. The overall increase is likely due to the rise of Chinese brands like Xiaomi, which saw a remarkable 12% growth in 2024.
See also: Huawei cuts smartphone prices to compete with Apple
Apple's sales decline may be due in part to the lack of Apple Intelligence features, particularly in China. This situation may have affected iPhone 16 sales. Apple has been offering Apple Intelligence features since October via software updates, but they are not available everywhere.
Meanwhile, a December survey found that many iPhone users believe Apple Intelligence has added little or no value to their iPhone experience. However, it could improve over time, and there are some features that haven't yet been released to the general public.
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“Apple’s iPhone 16 series received a mixed response, partly due to the lack of availability of Apple Intelligence at launch,” noted Counterpoint Research Director Tarun Pathak. Despite this problem, Apple maintained strong growth in emerging markets such as Latin America.
The research firm noted that while overall sales declined, Apple saw increased demand for its premium models. Consumers in China reportedly mainly opted for the Pro and Pro Max models.
Samsung maintained its lead in the global smartphone market, boosted by strong demand for its AI-powered S24 and A-series devices
See also: Which company surpassed Apple in smartwatch sales in 2024?
As for Chinese manufacturers Huawei, Honor and Motorola, they emerged as the fastest-growing brands among the top 10 smartphone manufacturers. In recent years, Chinese smartphone brands have won over consumers around the world. Companies such as Xiaomi have made significant investments in research and development to produce high-quality devices that compete with top players such as Apple and Samsung. These companies have also focused on expanding their reach beyond China, targeting emerging markets with affordable yet feature-rich smartphones. As a result, they have seen rapid growth in market share, with some even surpassing established brands in certain regions.
Source: www.macrumors.com
