Apple’s Strategy in China Amid Smartphone Market Decline

In the second quarter of 2026, Apple defied the smartphone market trend in China, showing a remarkable 24.4 percent year-over-year growth in iPhone shipments. IDC’s latest data reveals that despite an overall decline in the market, Apple emerged as the fastest-growing brand, outpacing its competitors. Total shipments in China dipped by 4.3 percent, marking the fifth successive quarterly decrease. Among the major players, only Apple and Huawei managed growth, with Huawei recording a 19.4 percent increase. Apple’s market share soared from 13.9 percent to 18.1 percent within a year, trailing only behind Huawei’s 22.6 percent. Conversely, Xiaomi experienced a significant…