The US-based company lost its leadership position last year, but it still had the best Q4 - only just. Canalys reports that 2024 was a year of recovery

Apple was dethroned as China's biggest smartphone seller in 2024, with local rivals Vivo and Huawei overtaking the iPhone maker after its annual shipments in the country declined 17%, data from research firm Canalys showed on Thursday.

Canalys reported that iPhone shipments in China fell by 25% in the fourth quarter of 2024, while Huawei's shipments rose by 24% during the same period. This significant shift highlights Apple's growing challenges in China,

Apple took the number one spot but saw a 25% year-over-year decline after having shipped 13.1M units in the fourth quarter of 2024. The company had 17% of the Chinese smartphone market at the end of the fourth quarter, compared to 24% in the year-ago period.

Apple's smartphone shipments in China plunged 25% in the fourth quarter of 2024, data from research firm Canalys showed, as the iPhone maker faced mounting pressure from a resurgent Huawei in one of its biggest global markets.

Apple is no longer the top smartphone seller in China, overtaken by Vivo and Huawei, with a 17% market share decline in 2024. Apple now holds 15%, marking its worst annual performance in the country.

Apple was dethroned as China's biggest smartphone seller in 2024, with local rivals Vivo and Huawei overtaking the iPhone maker after its annual shipments in the country declined 17%, data from research firm Canalys showed on Thursday. Julian Satterthwaite reports.

Apple lost its No. 1 spot in China as domestic rivals took advantage of the iPhone maker’s lack of artificial intelligence features available on phones purchased in the country, according to data from research firm Canalys.