Apple launched the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models last year in September, which brought significant upgrades to the lineup in terms of design, performance, and camera hardware. The standard models specifically came with a new display, housing the Dynamic Island feature, which was exclusively available on the iPhone 14 Pro models. However, despite various upgrades, the iPhone 15 struggles to succeed in China, as the devices saw a 33 percent decline last month compared to the previous year.
The iPhone 15 lineup is not doing so well in China despite various improvements compared to its predecessor
To be fair, the iPhone 15 is worth the upgrade compared to its predecessor, as Apple has included a handful of new variations, including the design. The back of the device is slightly curved, matching the ‘Pro’ models, and the inclusion of the Dynamic Island makes it a better choice for some. In contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro models feature improved design and significant improvements in the camera department. However, iPhone shipments have declined by 33 percent in China, according to a report from China’s Academy of Information and Communications Technology (Bloomberg).
The report suggests that foreign brands shipped around 2.4 million smartphones last month, with Apple holding a significant market share from the total shipments since there are no major foreign contenders. This is not the first time Apple has seen a decline in shipments as the iPhone has fallen for the third consecutive month. Last year, in December, the iPhone saw a 30 percent decline in shipments despite the company’s promotions and incentives.
Apple has a lot of competition in the Chinese market from Android manufacturers, which is why the company seems to be struggling in the region. We previously covered that resellers in China depend on discounts for the iPhone 15, and Apple has also offered price reductions, which it rarely does on its websites. While competition is one of the reasons why shipments are low, China also imposed a ban on the iPhone last year from the government and state companies. This accounts for a large portion of sales being halted in contrast to the true potential of the devices.
As mentioned, competition from Huawei’s Mate 60 lineup is also fierce in the region, a smartphone that was released before the iPhone 15. Tim Cook visited China recently to promote the opening of a new App Store, which could have boosted sales for a little while. We will share more details on Apple’s shipments in China as soon as further details are available.