Apple’s iPhone sales drop in China amid growing trade tensions

TechEdt

Apple’s iPhone shipments across mainland China fell 9% in the first quarter of the year compared to the same period last year. According to new figures from research firm IDC, the US tech company sold 9.8 million iPhones in China from January to March, making it the only one among the country’s top five smartphone brands to see a decline in sales. This comes only three months after Apple briefly reclaimed the top spot in China’s competitive smartphone market. In contrast, total smartphone shipments in China rose 3.3% yearly to 71.6 million units during the same period.

A key factor behind Apple’s drop appears to be its higher pricing strategy. IDC Asia-Pacific senior research manager Will Wong said Apple couldn’t benefit from a new government-backed electronics subsidy programme. The subsidy, which began on January 20, offers shoppers a 15% discount—capped at 500 yuan (US$68.50)—when purchasing smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches priced under 6,000 yuan.

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