Foreign-branded smartphones saw a slight uptick in sales across China in April, signaling a modest rebound in a fiercely competitive market dominated by domestic brands.

According to figures released by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), shipments of foreign smartphones reached 3.52 million units in April—up marginally from 3.50 million units during the same month last year.

The increase, though slight, is significant as it reflects a stabilization in demand after a rocky start to the year, particularly for Apple, the leading foreign player in China’s smartphone landscape.

Apple, whose iPhones make up the majority of foreign-branded mobile sales in the country, has had to battle a shrinking market share and growing pressure from Chinese competitors like Huawei, Xiaomi, and Vivo. The tech giant reported a 9% dip in iPhone sales in China during the first quarter of the year, prompting aggressive price cuts in an effort to regain momentum.

Earlier this month, several Chinese e-commerce platforms began offering substantial discounts—up to 2,530 yuan (approximately $351)—on Apple’s latest iPhone 16 lineup. These promotional efforts appear to be paying off, at least partially, contributing to the slight rise in foreign phone shipments.

The CAICT data provides a snapshot of how international brands are navigating the evolving Chinese smartphone market, where consumer preferences, local innovation, and competitive pricing heavily influence buying decisions.

While the April figures suggest a potential turning point for foreign brands, industry analysts caution that sustained growth will depend on strategic pricing, product innovation, and continued brand loyalty amid intensifying local competition.