Apple lost the top spot in the Chinese smartphone market after a domestic brand replaced the iPhone as the country's top choice.

Apple’s descent from the top of China’s smartphone market in 2024 signals a seismic shift in the competitive landscape of one of the world’s largest smartphone markets. Data from Canalys highlights a 17% decline in Apple’s shipments across the country, marking its worst annual performance ever.

Phone shipments plummeted 25 per cent in China last quarter, pushing Apple to third place for the year amid rising competition.

Apple lost its position as the largest smartphone vendor in China in 2024 as local competitors Vivo and Huawei surpassed the iPhone manufacturer after its yearly shipments in the nation fell 17%, according to data released Thursday by research firm Canalys.

The California-based tech giant claimed a market share of 15 per cent in the world's number two economy, behind Huawei's 16 per cent and top-ranking Vivo's 17 per cent, according to industry data provider Canalys.