Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) saw iPhone shipments in China surge 20% during the first quarter of 2026, marking the strongest growth among major vendors even as the broader market faced significant headwinds.
According to data from Counterpoint Research, total smartphone shipments in China dropped 4% for the period from January to March, pressured by elevated memory chip costs and persistent supply chain disruptions.
While many Chinese vendors have been forced to raise prices on budget handsets to protect margins, Apple and domestic giant Huawei have largely bucked the downward trend.
Apple’s 20% jump pushed its market share to 19%, securing the second-place spot just behind Huawei, which saw a 2% increase in shipments and maintained a 20% market share.
In contrast, other major players struggled to maintain momentum.
Xiaomi experienced a dramatic 35% plunge in shipments, slipping to sixth place.
Analysts attributed this sharp decline to a high base effect from the previous year, when the company benefited significantly from aggressive government subsidies and price cuts.
Oppo and Honor also reported declines of 5% and 3%, respectively, while Vivo managed a modest 2% rise fueled by strong demand during the Lunar New Year holiday.
The rise in component costs, particularly for memory chips, remains a primary concern for the industry.
Many domestic brands are expected to implement further price hikes throughout the second quarter, potentially creating additional friction for budget-conscious buyers.