Foreign smartphone brands, including tech giant Apple, saw a slight increase in sales in China during April, according to new data released by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), a state-affiliated research body.

The report reveals that shipments of non-domestic mobile phones in China rose marginally to 3.52 million units last month, compared to 3.50 million in April 2023. Though the growth is modest, it offers a glimmer of hope for international brands amid an otherwise challenging market.

Apple, the leading foreign smartphone manufacturer in China, continues to have a significant influence on this segment’s performance. Despite a 9% drop in iPhone sales during the first quarter of 2024, April’s slight rebound may suggest early signs of stabilization.

To maintain market share in the face of fierce competition from Chinese manufacturers such as Huawei and Xiaomi, Apple has increasingly leaned on aggressive pricing strategies. Earlier in May, major Chinese e-commerce platforms slashed prices on the iPhone 16 series by as much as 2,530 yuan (around $351) in a bid to attract consumers.

While domestic brands continue to dominate the Chinese smartphone market, foreign players appear to be holding their ground—at least for now—through strategic pricing and strong brand recognition. However, with local innovation accelerating, maintaining this foothold may prove to be an ongoing challenge.