Foreign-branded mobile phone sales in China edge up in April
When the world is scared of being taken over by made-in-China products, a unique story is playing out in the mainland.
In a sign of resilience amidst fierce competition,
foreign-branded mobile phone sales
in China, including the popular iPhones from Apple Inc., experienced a slight upturn in April. According to data released on Friday by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), shipments of foreign-branded phones reached 3.52 million units last month, a marginal increase from 3.50 million units in April 2022.
Apple remains the dominant player in the foreign mobile phone market in China, and its performance heavily influences overall sales figures. However, the company faced challenges in the first quarter of 2023, reporting a significant 9% decline in phone sales compared to the previous year. This downturn prompted Apple to take strategic actions, including price reductions, to fend off rising competition from domestic brands such as Huawei and Xiaomi.
To attract consumers, Chinese e-commerce platforms have initiated substantial discounts on the latest iPhone 16 models, with price cuts reportedly reaching up to 2,530 yuan (approximately $351). These measures are part of Apple's efforts to maintain its foothold in the smartphone-centric Chinese market, which is increasingly dominated by local manufacturers that offer high-quality devices at competitive prices.
Analysts suggest that while the increase in sales figures for April is a positive indicator, it is essential for Apple and other foreign brands to continue innovating and adjusting their strategies in response to evolving consumer preferences and aggressive pricing from domestic competitors. As the market dynamics continue to shift, the performance of foreign-branded mobile phones in China will be closely monitored in the coming months.
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