Apple Overtakes Domestic Brands to Become Top-Selling Smartphone in China in 2023

According to a report by the International Data Corporation (IDC), Apple became the top-selling smartphone brand in China throughout 2023.

This is the first time Apple has managed to surpass local smartphone brands in the country.

IDC reported that Apple's smartphone market share in China in 2023 reached 17.3%. Despite being the top seller, its sales decreased by 2.2% compared to 2022 (year-on-year/YoY).

IDC Research Analyst Arthur Guo assessed that Apple was able to rise to the top position due to its effective third-party pricing promotion strategy, while demand for competing brands declined more significantly.

The Chinese smartphone brand Honor ranked second with a 17.1% market share in 2023, a plunge of 10.3% (YoY).

"Honor maintained its number 2 position thanks to improvements in its channel partnerships and comprehensive product strategy," said Arthur Guo.

Arthur also noted that Honor was able to tap into the high-end market with its foldable phones.

Another Chinese smartphone manufacturer, Oppo, ranked third with a market share of 16.7%, down 9.5% (YoY).

Next was Vivo, whose market share dropped 15.5% (YoY) to 16.5%, and Xiaomi, down 8.5% (YoY) to 13.2%.

Smartphone shipments from other brands held a 19.1% market share in the Chinese market in 2023. This figure increased by 19% (YoY).

Overall, IDC recorded smartphone shipments in China in 2023 decreased by 5% (YoY) to 271.3 million units.

According to IDC, this shipment volume is the lowest in the last decade, due to weak economic recovery and low consumer sentiment.