Apple expanded its hold on the Chinese smartphone market during the third quarter of 2026, according to preliminary data released by IDC. The company captured 17.8% of total shipments, an increase from 15.8% in the same period last year. This gain occurred even as the broader market contracted sharply and Apple itself saw its own shipment volumes drop.
Apple China market share rises amid decline
Overall smartphone shipments in China fell 15.4% year-over-year during the quarter. Apple experienced a 4.3% decline in shipments compared to the previous year and a 15.1% drop from the second quarter of 2026. Because Apple’s decline was less severe than the rest of the market, its relative position improved.
The report notes that rising component costs and higher retail prices continue to pressure the industry. Consumers are facing longer replacement cycles as device prices stretch further. IDC expects these cost pressures to remain elevated through much of 2027, leading to continued significant declines in the market.
Huawei leads growth while others struggle
While Apple gained share, Huawei was the clear leader in volume growth. The Chinese manufacturer saw a 17.3% year-over-year increase in shipments, bringing its market share to 21.1%, up from 15.2% in Q3 2025. Despite this annual growth, Huawei’s shipments still fell 17.6% from the previous quarter.
Lenovo was the only other brand in the top 10 to record year-over-year shipment growth, rising 1.1%. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, Honor, Lenovo, and Samsung all posted increases. Samsung saw a particularly sharp rebound with a 106.5% jump in shipments compared to the previous quarter.
At the other end of the spectrum, Wiko experienced the steepest decline among the top 10 brands. Shipments plunged 74% year-over-year, reducing its market share to 0.8% from 2.6% in the prior year.
Market outlook and pricing pressures
IDC attributes Huawei’s sustained performance to a diverse product lineup and relatively restrained price increases. The firm noted that Apple’s newly released iPhones received better-than-expected market reception, though fewer models available this year contributed to the slight year-over-year shipment decline.
Other major Chinese smartphone brands faced significant challenges but showed varying degrees of resilience. Honor was the only major manufacturer to record quarter-over-quarter shipment growth, suggesting a potential rebound in its fortunes.
The industry is adapting to a new normal where higher prices and component costs define the landscape. IDC stated that consumers are accepting and adapting to these higher prices, even as it stretches the time between device upgrades. The company does not expect cost pressures to subside through much of 2027.
Source: 9to5Mac
