STORY: Apple and Samsung saw smartphone sales decline in the fourth quarter as competition from Chinese rivals increased.
That’s according to new figures released Monday from data cruncher IDC.
It is said that the period actually saw the global smartphone market coming back strong after two years of decline.
But it was Chinese products that reaped the benefits.
Xiaomi has been growing very fast, with its shipments jumping more than 15%.
Others including Oppo have also benefited.
Overall, that saw Chinese makers take 56% of the global smartphone market – their highest ever share.
Meanwhile, Apple’s shipments fell 4.1% during that period.
The US giant has resorted to unusual cash cuts in a bid to turn things around.
This month it offered discounts of up to $70 on some iPhones in China.
As for Samsung, its shipments fell 2.7% in the quarter.
It is among the firms facing the biggest disappointment of the market – the decline of consumer interest in folding phones.
IDC says that demand for folding has declined, despite strong promotion and advertising.
It says manufacturers are now shifting research and development money away from such devices in response.
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