Apple has faced a significant setback in its iPhone shipments, experiencing a larger-than-projected 10% decline in the March quarter despite a rebound in the smartphone industry.
Apple Shipments Fall Short of Expectations
According to IDC's initial data, Apple shipped 50.1 million iPhones during the first three months, falling short of the average analyst prediction of 51.7 million units for the same period, Bloomberg reported.
Following the release of its latest iPhone models in September, the company has encountered challenges in maintaining sales, particularly in China. Factors contributing to this struggle include increased competition from domestic brands like Huawei Technologies Co. and a ban in China on foreign devices in workplaces.
Android Gains Steam
This decline is against the backdrop of an overall improvement in the mobile market, which registered its best growth in years. According to Bloomberg, smartphone makers shipped 289.4 million handsets in the period, a 7.8% rise from a year ago.
In the March quarter, Samsung Electronics Co. reclaimed its position as the top smartphone vendor, while Transsion, a budget-focused brand, saw an impressive 85% surge in shipments. Xiaomi Corp. also made gains, narrowing the gap on second-place Apple.
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