Apple's iPhone shipments in China soared nearly 40% in May compared to the previous year, continuing a trend of recovery observed since April, according to data released on Friday by a research firm affiliated with the Chinese government.
Data from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) revealed that shipments of foreign-branded phones in China surged by 1.425 million units in May, reaching 5.028 million units from 3.603 million units a year earlier.
While the report did not explicitly name Apple, the tech giant is recognized as the dominant foreign phone manufacturer in China's competitive smartphone market. Analysts attribute this surge in foreign-brand phone shipments largely to Apple's strong performance.
This significant sales increase for Apple follows a challenging period earlier in the year when the company faced stiff competition from local rivals like Huawei, particularly in the high-end smartphone segment.
The boost in Apple's sales coincided with an aggressive discount campaign launched in May on its official Tmall site in China. The campaign included price cuts of up to 2,300 yuan ($316.71) on selected iPhone models, aiming to stimulate consumer demand.
Apple's sales growth in May builds on a positive trend from the previous month, with April witnessing a remarkable 52% increase. This contrasts sharply with the start of 2023, when Apple reported a 37% decline in sales.
Earlier announcements by Apple CEO Tim Cook indicated optimism about iPhone sales growth in various markets, including China, following an 8.1% revenue drop from the Greater China region in the second quarter.
The intensified price reductions in May, doubling those offered in February, responded to competitive moves by Huawei, which launched its new series of high-end smartphones, the Pura 70, in April, following the Mate 60's debut last August.
Huawei, surpassing Apple to become the second-largest smartphone vendor in China in the first quarter, continues to strengthen its retail presence with more flagship stores and expanded distribution networks. Huawei's spinoff brand, Honor, currently holds the top spot in the Chinese market.
Overall, smartphone sales in China grew by 16.5% to 30.33 million units in May, as reported by CAICT data, underscoring the robust competition and dynamic shifts in the country's smartphone landscape.
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