iPhone Shipments Crash 50% in China as Local Brands Dominate

[headlessmike]

Nobody’s doing that except some weird terminally online people.

I'm not so sure about that. I've gotten comments from people in stores when buying Reese's candy of all things. I'm an American living overseas and I need my peanut butter...

 

[Ctrlos]

I’ve been buying Apple products since 1983—always among the first to grab the latest gear. For decades, Apple meant innovation, and I stayed loyal because the difference between them and everyone else was clear. But over the years, that edge has dulled. These days, I’m still using an iPhone 12 Max and older versions of just about everything else—and honestly, I’m not even in a hurry to upgrade.

When the original HomePod launched, I bought ten of them. I’ve got nine still running. Back then, Siri could actually answer questions. Now? It’s become a joke. Siri has gotten worse—significantly worse—in the last three or four years, and the software across the board feels like it’s running on fumes. The one thing keeping me tied to the ecosystem is the Apple Watch and how well it works with the iPhone.

Tim Cook’s Apple isn’t about leading anymore—it’s waiting around for other companies to innovate, so that they have something to copy or purchase. It was a good run while it lasted. 🫡

You could put the same parallels in to any other phone company. Hardware innovation has plateaued across the board as phones have become commoditised. None of this really matters of course: Apple laptops haven't changed much in 20 years and people still swear by them.

We as users need to come to turns with phones now being as exciting as washing machines.

 

[iPadified]

That's a weird top comment to distract from the numerous reasons someone might be fed up with Apple, the USA, or simply found a better product for them

Care to offer anything more than an influential suggestion?

It's like nudging. Everyone knows Apple is an American company and when the current US admin is so aggressive, Apple as a brand will start, unconsciously, with minus points when you do the buying decision. If a product is equally good, Apple looses. The Tesla brand is toxic and sales are tanking (down about 50% in Europe). I do not think we see that for Apple so much but postponing the next buy is entirely possible.

 

[ifxf]

I wonder how much intellectual property theft is incorporated into the local Chinese brands?

Love China to steal Siri technology, it will set them back 20 years.

 

[big_papa_johnny]

But I’ve cut back on purchases from US companies, as has my wife, and a lot of family and friends. I know of at least 2 US-bound trips that have been cancelled because of fascist border control officers.

I’m pretty sure Blackrock owns like half your country’s infrastructure, but sure you go boycott Jack Daniels and cancel your trip to Florida, that’ll put the “evil yanks” in their place. Lmao

 

[I7guy]

Not surprising when local hardware is being pushed by the government.

 

[Howard2k]

The orange effect.

 

[Donkey Man]

To anyone who is surprised non-US countries don't want to buy US products based on what's happened in the US since January, I have a bridge to sell you.

Sure - as if every non-US citizen out there were anti-Trump - quite the opposite, actually.

It's amazing how left-leaning and woke-rabid the MacRumors audience has become over the last years - it's almost like a Mac-centric version of the Guardian or MSNBC.

 

[Mity]

I don't think people understand how much better Chinese phones are now compared to iPhones.

This is the new OnePlus 13T. It has the Snapdragon 8 Elite and starts with 12GB of RAM for $550. The iPhone 16e by comparison has 8GB of RAM and starts at $700.

This is the Honor Magic 7 Pro. It has the Snapdragon 8 Elite and it can be spec'd to 16GB of RAM for $1,000. The AI features blow away anything Apple has to offer.

If you look at other phones on gizmochina, you'll find ridiculous camera focused phones. iPhones simply can't compete with the amount of customization and features Chinese OEMs have to offer.
https://www.dxomark.com/smartphones/

Maybe sales will bounce back for Apple during a major redesign and the update cycle.

 

[Donkey Man]

I’m not terminally online, or left-wing either, just check my profile here. I barely have social media. But I’ve cut back on purchases from US companies, as has my wife, and a lot of family and friends. I know of at least 2 US-bound trips that have been cancelled because of fascist border control officers.

You really are underestimating the strong dislike that Trump and his tariffs have created, even in “friendly” countries like mine - Australia.

I’m not even sure I’ll buy another Apple product as long as Trump is president because of Apple’s quisling behaviour.

Perhaps you should first look into the definition of "fascist", which is much closer to what Australia, Canada and the UK represent these days compared to any other western country in the world.

 

[poofdadz]

That's a weird top comment to distract from the numerous reasons someone might be fed up with Apple, the USA, or simply found a better product for them

Care to offer anything more than an influential suggestion?

Is this the Chairman talking?

 

[poofdadz]

That’s what happens when your main “innovation” consists of emojis, artificial “diversity” moves and a slightly better camera.
Time for Musk as Apple’s CEO.

The only reason I'm deeply entrenched in the Apple ecosystem is for the yearly pride wallpapers and pride watch face updates. Incredible innovation if you ask me!

 

[Logan VII]

Will this help lower apple prices... Naaaaaaa.

 

[Logan VII]

I’ve been buying Apple products since 1983—always among the first to grab the latest gear. For decades, Apple meant innovation, and I stayed loyal because the difference between them and everyone else was clear. But over the years, that edge has dulled. These days, I’m still using an iPhone 12 Max and older versions of just about everything else—and honestly, I’m not even in a hurry to upgrade.

When the original HomePod launched, I bought ten of them. I’ve got nine still running. Back then, Siri could actually answer questions. Now? It’s become a joke. Siri has gotten worse—significantly worse—in the last three or four years, and the software across the board feels like it’s running on fumes. The one thing keeping me tied to the ecosystem is the Apple Watch and how well it works with the iPhone.

Tim Cook’s Apple isn’t about leading anymore—it’s waiting around for other companies to innovate, so that they have something to copy or purchase. It was a good run while it lasted. 🫡

I still use my XR as a phone and my 6s as an iPod.

 

[Ronald Reagan]

I hope this can serve as a wake up call to Apple’s BoD. With Apple’s fumbling of AI, Siri, Vision Pro, buggy software, lackluster sales of iPhone 16/16 Pro, Apple Watch, etc. alongside Cook’s excuses for the drop in sales, I think Tim needs to go. I dont even he’s such a great bean-counter anymore. The much broader issue is Apple’s products aren’t the MUST own devices anymore (like they once were). They aren’t see as innovative as they used to be. When they try to be, they fall flat on their face. iPhone Air? This is sure to be disappointing. They can do so much better.

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

Simply put, paying the "Apple Tax" isn't worth it anymore if it ever was. The last iPhone that was truly a wow factor was maybe the X, thereafter it's just bits and pieces throw by Tim holding back feature is the one more thing to buy the next year.

 

[headlessmike]

Sure - as if every non-US citizen out there were anti-Trump - quite the opposite, actually.

It's amazing how left-leaning and woke-rabid the MacRumors audience has become over the last years - it's almost like a Mac-centric version of the Guardian or MSNBC.

This has little to do with left vs. right. Where I live both sides are highly critical of what the US is doing at the moment by burning bridges with its allies.

 

[ThomasJL]

Yeah Apple’s lame incremental upgrades don’t work anymore. Who would’ve thought?

Exactly. If Tim Cook were honest, the iPhone 16 would’ve been named iPhone 11sssss.

 

[StoneJack]

It is just that Chinese brands are now becoming very competitive both in terms of price and functions. Same story for Tesla (pushed from the market by BYD), TVs (TCL and Hisense are leading the race, Korean and Japanese brands are losing ground in China as well). The Great Reset of World Economy is happening and Trump is powerless to stop it (though he is trying).

 

[crzdcolombian]

I know everyone here is an apple fan boy but those Oppo phones are sick. I go to china 1x a year with my wife to visit her family. Their phones might not be overall better than the iPhone but the Oppo phone camera is insane.

also the price points...... apple going hey we want 40% margins on our products would not happen if we had more competition in the market. People crying the 16e isnt $500 or less..... would def be if some of these phones came to market

tho I will say its funny to go to the mall and pretty much every single Chinese phone brand looks like an Apple Store(Americans then cry about that but do you guys remember the Microsoft stores at the malls haha.... it was a Apple Store with a dance dance revolution pad or a karaoke spot for little girls to sing let it go)

 

[arkitect]

Perhaps you should first look into the definition of "fascist", which is much closer to what Australia, Canada and the UK represent these days compared to any other western country in the world.

Interesting take that… it seems you are unclear what Fascism is and how and where it is manifesting itself currently.

I'll suggest this short book for you it should only take an hour or two to read… you may well realise that that word you use doesn't mean what you think it does.

You're welcome.

Fascism: A Very Short Introduction​

 

[DrJR]

That's a weird top comment to distract from the numerous reasons someone might be fed up with Apple, the USA, or simply found a better product for them

Care to offer anything more than an influential suggestion?

not weird. the chinese are notorious thieves of our (usa) inventions and innovations.

 

[Mousse]

That’s what happens when your main “innovation” consists of emojis, artificial “diversity” moves and a slightly better camera.
Time for Musk as Apple’s CEO.

Felon Musk in charge of Apple? Take Apple back to the 90's glory days, huh?😑 He already ran Twitter/X into the ground. He's running Tesla into the ground. Musk will Make Apple Stock Affordable Again.😕

 

[WWP99]

Maybe Tim shouldn't have donated to you know who's inauguration. The whole "Don't Buy American" thing is getting traction now in other countries. American bourbon in Canada and Europe and now iPhones in China.

 

[WWP99]

I’m not terminally online, or left-wing either, just check my profile here. I barely have social media. But I’ve cut back on purchases from US companies, as has my wife, and a lot of family and friends. I know of at least 2 US-bound trips that have been cancelled because of fascist border control officers.

You really are underestimating the strong dislike that Trump and his tariffs have created, even in “friendly” countries like mine - Australia.

I’m not even sure I’ll buy another Apple product as long as Trump is president because of Apple’s quisling behaviour.

Same everywhere. Trump has tarnished a lot of things that are identified as "American." Shame really.