The US-based company lost its leadership position last year, but it still had the best Q4 - only just. Canalys reports that 2024 was a year of recovery

Apple was dethroned as China's biggest smartphone seller in 2024, with local rivals Vivo and Huawei overtaking the iPhone maker after its annual shipments in the country declined 17%, data from research firm Canalys showed on Thursday.

Apple ( NASDAQ:AAPL) slips fractionally in premarket trading after losing its top spot in China's smartphone market in 2024. Local brands Vivo and Huawei move ahead as Apple's shipments drop 17% to 42.9 million units, bringing its market share down to 15%, according to Canalys.

Canalys reported that iPhone shipments in China fell by 25% in the fourth quarter of 2024, while Huawei's shipments rose by 24% during the same period. This significant shift highlights Apple's growing challenges in China,

Apple's smartphone shipments in China plunged 25% in the fourth quarter of 2024, data from research firm Canalys showed, as the iPhone maker faced mounting pressure from a resurgent Huawei in one of its biggest global markets.

The market share of Apple in China sees decline, dropping from 19% to 15% in 2024. Vivo and Huawei capture the top spots with 17% and 16% market share, respectively.