Apple iPhone Sees a 20% Surge in Shipments in China Despite Market Downturn
Despite a challenging smartphone market in China, Apple Inc. has reported a significant 20% increase in iPhone shipments during Q1 2026. This data was released by Counterpoint Research on April 17, 2026.
While China’s overall smartphone market saw a 4% contraction during the same period, due to supply chain disruptions and escalating memory chip costs, Apple’s growth painted a different picture. The tech giant secured a 19% market share, claiming the second position behind Huawei, which holds 20% of the market.
The surge in Apple’s success is attributed to the strong demand for the iPhone 17 series, strategic promotional pricing, and government subsidies. Analysts have noted that Apple has managed to maintain competitive pricing even as rivals have increased prices to counterbalance the rising component costs.
“As most rivals raise prices, Apple stands out for value, with Chinese consumers knowing its products last at least three years,” said Ivan Lam, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research.
BNP Paribas has upgraded Apple from neutral to outperform with a $300 price target. They argue that the rising memory chip prices are actually setting up Apple for competitive gains it wouldn’t have otherwise achieved.
Source: CNBC