Finance
Apple's iPhone Shipments in China Surge 20% in Q1, Data Shows
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 17, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 17, 2026
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Apple’s iPhone shipments in China rose sharply by about 20–33% in Q1 2026, outperforming most rivals amid a contracting market marred by rising memory-chip costs.
Apple's iPhone shipments in China surge 20% in Q1, data shows
Apple and Huawei Defy Market Downturn in China
By Che Pan and Laurie Chen
BEIJING, April 17 (Reuters) - Apple's iPhone shipments surged 20% in China in the first quarter, for the strongest growth among major vendors, despite an overall decline as rising prices of memory chips boosted costs, data from Counterpoint Research showed.
Market Overview and Shipment Trends
Overall smartphone shipments dropped 4% in the world's largest smartphone market in the period from January to March, hit by supply chain disruptions and the soaring chip prices.
Apple and Huawei Outperform Rivals
But telecoms giant Huawei and Apple, the two largest vendors in the market, bucked the trend, reporting growth of 2% and 20% respectively.
Apple's Value Proposition
"As most rivals raise prices, Apple stands out for value, with Chinese consumers knowing its products last at least three years," Ivan Lam, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research.
Huawei's Strong Demand
Huawei's shipments were lifted by strong demand across both its high-end and budget ranges, including the Enjoy 90 series, giving it a 20% market share in the quarter, Lam said.
Huawei retained the top spot, followed by Apple with a share of 19%.
Challenges for Other Vendors
Smartphone vendors in China have raised prices for budget handsets to protect margins in the battle with elevated memory chip costs.
Xiaomi's Decline
Xiaomi slipped to sixth place with a plunge of 35% in shipments. Lam attributed the sharp decline to a high base effect, after Xiaomi benefited from aggressive price cuts and government subsidies in the corresponding period last year.
Oppo, Honor, and Vivo Performance
Shipments by Oppo and Honor also fell 5% and 3% respectively, though Vivo saw a rise of 2%, buoyed by strong sales during the Lunar New Year holiday.
Outlook for the Coming Quarters
Lam expected more headwinds for the market in the second quarter, particularly as Chinese brands look to raise prices further.
Apple and Huawei's Prospects
"However, we expect Apple and Huawei to fare relatively better, with Huawei potentially seeing further shipment growth driven by solid demand for its lower-end devices," Lam said.
(Reporting by Che Pan and Laurie Chen; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Clarence Fernandez)
Key Takeaways
- •Apple led growth among major smartphone vendors in China, with double‑digit shipment growth in Q1 2026 while the overall market declined 3–4%.
- •Huawei retained its lead in market share (~20%), supported by strong demand for premium models like Mate 80 and Pura X.
- •Budget and mid‑tier brands like Xiaomi, Oppo and Honor faltered as rising memory costs led to price hikes, while Apple and Huawei benefitted from premium positioning.
Frequently Asked Questions about Apple's iPhone shipments in China surge 20% in Q1, data shows
1How much did Apple's iPhone shipments grow in China in Q1?
Apple's iPhone shipments in China surged by 20% in the first quarter, according to Counterpoint Research data.
2Which companies led the Chinese smartphone market in Q1?
Huawei retained the top spot with a 20% market share, followed closely by Apple with 19%.
3Why did overall smartphone shipments fall in China during Q1?
Shipments dropped 4% due to supply chain disruptions and rising memory chip prices, impacting most vendors.
4How did other major vendors perform in China?
Xiaomi's shipments plunged 35%, while Oppo and Honor saw declines of 5% and 3% respectively. Vivo's shipments rose 2%.
5What factors contributed to Apple and Huawei's growth?
Apple benefited from its products' longevity, while Huawei saw strong demand for both high-end and budget devices.
