China smartphone sales plunge 23 percent in January as Apple bucks the trend
Smartphone sales in China fell 23 percent in January amid shifting holiday timing. Apple was the sole gainer with 8 percent growth led by the iPhone 17.
Insights:
Counterpoint Research reported that smartphone sales in China 
CN fell 23 percent year-on-year in January. The firm cited a high comparison base in 2025 and a shift in the timing of Chinese New Year promotions as the primary reasons for the decline. This market contraction coincided with double-digit sales drops for most domestic Chinese smartphone brands, including Xiaomi.
CN fell 23 percent year-on-year in January. The firm cited a high comparison base in 2025 and a shift in the timing of Chinese New Year promotions as the primary reasons for the decline. This market contraction coincided with double-digit sales drops for most domestic Chinese smartphone brands, including Xiaomi.Apple Inc. was the only major brand to post year-on-year growth during the period, recording an 8 percent increase in sales. Meanwhile, Huawei remained the market leader despite experiencing a 27 percent decline in its sales volume. The reported fall has altered month-to-month market shares and sales performance across the major vendors operating in the country.
