In December 2024, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo released a report showing a major drop in Apple’s iPhone sales in China. Compared to December 2023, sales fell by 10-12%. This decline highlights challenges for Apple in one of its key markets.
iPhone Shipments decline in China : Lack of Innovation is a Problem
Kuo points to a lack of innovation as the main issue. The iPhone 16 series, released in 2024, did not impress Chinese consumers. It offered only minor upgrades over the previous models. Many users did not find enough reasons to buy the new phones.
Stable Market Conditions
Apple’s decline happened even though the overall smartphone market in China remained stable. Other brands kept their sales steady, making Apple’s drop more noticeable. This shows that the problem is specific to Apple, not the whole market.
Tough Start for 2025
Kuo predicts that Apple’s problems will continue into the first half of 2025. The upcoming iPhone SE4 is unlikely to improve sales significantly. The SE series usually attracts budget-conscious buyers and doesn’t boost overall sales much.
Concerns About the iPhone 17
There are also concerns about the iPhone 17 series. Rumors suggest it will only support eSIM, with no physical SIM cards. This could be a problem in China, where not all carriers offer eSIM support. Many users may find it hard to switch to the new phones, hurting sales further.
Sales Projections for 2025
Despite these challenges, Apple is expected to ship around 225 million iPhones worldwide in 2025. This is slightly more than the 220 million units shipped in 2024. However, it is still below the earlier prediction of 240 million units. These numbers reflect Apple’s ongoing struggles, especially in important markets like China.
Conclusion
Ming-Chi Kuo’s report highlights serious issues for Apple in China. The lack of major innovations and the move to eSIM could weaken its position further. How Apple responds to these challenges will shape its global sales in the coming year.
