Apple’s iPhone sales in China are bouncing back, surging 52% in April. The rebound was driven by aggressive price cuts and renewed consumer demand, according to a Bloomberg report.
The surge in shipments – from 2.3 million units in April 2023 to 3.5 million units in April 2024 – is revealed in data from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT). The jump in shipments follows a series of price cuts from Apple that were aimed at boosting sales in the region.
The iPhone’s recovery in China is attributable to a broader resurgence in the smartphone market, which saw overall sales rise by 25.5% to 22.7 million units in April. iPhone sales contributed significantly to this growth, according to CAICT data.
“The iPhone’s shrinking China market share could stabilize soon, as our latest survey shows Apple’s comeback as Chinese consumers’ favorite smartphone brand after being displaced by Huawei,” analysts Steven Tseng and Sean Chen wrote.
“We believe the reversal in user interest could be due to the premiumization trend in China, amplified by consumer fatigue after long waiting times for Huawei’s premium models. More than half of survey respondents say they’re willing to spend more than 4,000 yuan ($550) on their next phone vs. just 33% who currently use premium handsets.”
Apple in China experienced a 37% slump in sales during the first two months of 2024. The sales recovery began in March with a 12% increase in shipments, continuing into April.
Apple offered discounts of up to 2,300 yuan ($318 USD) off the iPhone 15 Pro Max, double those initially offered in February.
