Apple iPhone Shipments in China Up 20% in Q1 2026

Apple's iPhone shipments in China surged 20 percent year over year in the first quarter of 2026, bucking a broader market decline and securing the company second place among major vendors. The performance, reported by research firm Counterpoint Research, came as overall smartphone shipments in the country fell 4 percent from January to March, pressured by supply chain disruptions and rising costs for memory components.

Huawei maintained its lead with a 20 percent market share, achieving a modest 2 percent increase in shipments. The Chinese manufacturer's growth was supported by demand for both high-end flagships and more affordable models, such as the Enjoy 90 series, along with its strong ties to domestic suppliers that helped manage escalating part prices. Apple followed closely with a 19 percent share, marking the strongest growth among the top brands and its best quarterly performance in China since late 2020.

Other major players faced steeper challenges. Xiaomi saw shipments drop 35 percent, sliding to sixth place after tough comparisons to the previous year's aggressive discounts and government subsidies. Oppo and Honor recorded declines of 5 percent and 3 percent,...