Phoenix.com Technology News On April 8, rest of world reported that last week, customers flocked to buy the Mate XT , the world's first triple-fold smartphone that can be turned into a full-size tablet. Earlier that day, YouTube celebrity IShowSpeed ​​purchased three Mate XTs in a live broadcast in Shenzhen , starting at about 19,999 yuan.

"It's too big!" said the well-known American internet celebrity with more than 38 million subscribers on YouTube, surrounded by onlookers.

"People who buy Chinese phones want more advanced features," said Steve Hawke, a mobile phone salesman at an electronics mall in central Hong Kong. He said that even iPhone users will buy a second Chinese phone because of its longer battery life and more advanced technology.

Last year, Apple lost the number one position in smartphone sales in China and was seized by its local competitors vivo and Huawei. Apple's annual shipments in China fell 17%, its biggest annual decline in smartphone sales in China since 2016. Globally, although Apple remains leading, its shipments in 2024 have declined compared to the previous year. Its market share has also declined, while sales of Chinese brands such as Xiaomi, oppo, vivo, Honor, and Huawei have all increased.

"Having an iPhone is no longer a sign of identity today like it was five to ten years ago," said Francisco Geronimo, vice president of data and analysis at IDC. " Apple lags behind Chinese competitors in innovative features...people are turning to more distinctive devices, such as Huawei's foldable phones ."

Apple's decline in China is also due to its difficulties in launching AI capabilities. The company announced last month that it would postpone Siri's AI upgrade to 2026. Meanwhile, Chinese brands have begun to accept DeepSeek's AI model. Since last year, Huawei's latest models have been equipped with AI assistant Xiaoyi. Other brands such as oppo and Honor have also launched AI capabilities.

“ The integration of AI and smartphones is having a significant impact ,” Geronimo said. “So, in the store, when buyers are introduced to all of these features and they find that these features are not available on the iPhone, they are likely to choose a Chinese brand.”

Now the U.S. plans to impose a 54% tariff on Chinese imported products, which may discourage U.S. buyers from iPhones as well . Most iPhones sold in the U.S. are made in China, so it is estimated that the cheapest iPhone 16 may cost as much as $1,142. The iPhone 16 Pro Max may cost as much as $2,300. (Author/Chen Junxi)

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