Apple’s Chinese smartphone shipments fell 9% in the first quarter

This is Apple’s seventh consecutive quarter of decline [File] |Photo source: Reuters

According to research firm IDC, Apple’s smartphone shipments fell by 9% in the first quarter, the only major manufacturer saw a decline.

Apple, the fifth-ranked smartphone market in China, saw its shipment volume drop to 9.8 million phones, bringing it to 13.7%, down from 17.4% in the previous quarter.

This is the seventh consecutive quarter of Apple decline.

By comparison, market leader Xiaomi saw its shipping volumes rise by 40% to 13.3 million, while industry-wide goods rose by 3.3%.

IDC analyst Will Wong said Apple’s high-priced pricing structure prevented U.S. companies from taking advantage of new government subsidies triggered in January, which drove growth in the first quarter.

Government subsidies for smartphones and some other consumer electronics are refunding consumers 15% of stickers for products with prices below $6,000 ($820).