Tech Desk 
Apr 15, 2024
Apple's smartphone reign appears to be on shaky ground as shipments tumbled 10% in the first quarter (January-March) of 2024, data from research firm IDC showed.
This slump follows a triumphant December quarter where they dethroned Samsung as the world's leading phonemaker.
The heat is on from ambitious Android competitors, particularly Samsung and Xiaomi (currently at 14.1% market share). Samsung's recent launch of the Galaxy S24 series seems to be striking a chord with consumers, boasting an impressive 8% sales increase over the previous S23 lineup in its first three weeks.
Apple's shipments slid from 55.4 million units in Q1 2023 to just 50.1 million this year. Their woes are particularly evident in China, their third-biggest market. Similar to US restrictions on Chinese apps due to security concerns, some Chinese companies and government agencies are limiting employee use of Apple devices. This trend mirrors the challenges Apple faces in the US market.
With investor eyes glued to Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June, anticipation is building for announcements on upcoming software updates.
Additionally, there's keen interest in their progress on artificial intelligence, a field where Apple has remained relatively tight-lipped. The company's grip on the top spot seems to be loosening, and only time will tell if they can claw their way back or if this is the start of a new era in smartphone dominance.
