Apple has reclaimed the number one spot in China's competitive smartphone market. The technology giant from Cupertino achieved this position during the fourth quarter of 2025. According to fresh data from Counterpoint Research, Apple secured a solid 22 percent market share in what represents its largest market outside the United States.
iPhone 17 Series Powers Apple's Success
The strong performance came primarily from excellent sales of the iPhone 17 lineup. Consumers in China responded positively to both the Pro models and the standard versions. The iPhone 17 Pro series attracted attention with its redesigned camera system. Meanwhile, the base models offered twice the storage capacity compared to last year's devices at identical price points.
However, not every new Apple product found immediate success. The iPhone Air, which launched later than other models, managed only a low single-digit market share in China. Counterpoint analyst Ivan Lam provided insight into this slower start.
"The delayed launch and certain trade-offs between achieving extreme thinness and including key features resulted in a sluggish beginning for the iPhone Air," Lam explained. "Nevertheless, this product remains significant. It represents an exploration into ultra-thin design technology. It also carries important long-term implications for the domestic market's adoption of eSIM smartphones."
China's Smartphone Market Continues to Struggle
Apple's achievement occurred against a backdrop of ongoing challenges for China's broader smartphone industry. The report indicates that smartphone shipments in China declined by 1.6 percent year-over-year during the fourth quarter of 2025. For the entire year of 2025, shipments fell by 0.6 percent.
Every quarter of 2025 except the first one recorded year-over-year decreases in shipments. The first quarter experienced a temporary boost due to government subsidy programs. Unfortunately, this positive momentum did not last. Shipments contracted in all subsequent quarters throughout the year.
How Other Brands Performed in Q4 2025
Oppo secured the second position in the Chinese market during the fourth quarter. The company achieved impressive 15 percent year-over-year growth. This success stemmed from continued strong sales of the Reno series. Newly launched models like the Find X9 and OnePlus 15 series also contributed significantly to this performance.
Huawei maintained its position as the market leader for the entire year of 2025. This achievement came despite sales dropping during the second half of the year. Price reductions on Huawei's mid-range and high-end phones helped sustain its overall market position. The delayed launch of the Mate 80 series compared to competing devices negatively impacted fourth-quarter results. However, sales rebounded strongly at the beginning of 2026, aided by another round of government subsidies.
Several other major brands experienced year-over-year declines in the fourth quarter but showed some positive developments:
- Vivo saw success with its iQoo 15 model, which offered strong value for money. This device features Qualcomm's newest flagship processor.
- Xiaomi gained momentum quickly with its 17 series. The Pro models particularly impressed consumers with their unique rear screen design. The company accelerated its flagship release schedule, launching the 17 Ultra two months earlier than the previous generation.
- Honor maintained steady demand for its X70 and 400 series. The newly introduced WIN series attracted attention for its advanced heat management technology.
The Chinese smartphone market remains fiercely competitive. Apple's quarterly victory demonstrates the ongoing appeal of its flagship devices. However, the overall market contraction indicates broader challenges facing the industry. Chinese consumers continue to seek value, innovation, and timely product releases from all manufacturers.
