iPhone leading the charge for China smartphone market recovery

iPhone 14

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Following one analysis agency’s report that renewed demand for the iPhone could kickstart China’s smartphone market restoration, UBS believes that has already begun. Beforehand, UBS estimate that Apple’s restoration from manufacturing delays in December was insufficient, however now it says the corporate did higher than anticipated.

“Whereas native model shipments improved 21% Nov to Dec,” the analysts say in a report seen by AppleInsider, “iPhone shipments far outpaced the native manufacturers growing 88% month-over-month and +20% YoY in December vs a 58%/57% MoM/YoY decline in November.”

“[However, while] the iPhone sell-in power is encouraging, it is very important be aware that sell-in throughout the fourth quarter was down ~28% owing to the nicely documented disruptions in October and November,” continued the analysts. “That mentioned, the December information ought to alleviate investor issues that materials provide chain disruptions continued into 2023.”

Noting that “Apple shipments materially recovered in December,” UBS says that throughout the entire of the fourth quarter, the iPhone declined greater than rivals. Native manufacturers had been down round 23% YoY, whereas Apple was down roughly 28% YoY.

“Nonetheless, on a full yr foundation, native model shipments in China declined 25% in comparison with a ~9% decline for Apple,” it continues.

Estimated iPhone gross sales in China in December 2022

UBS has not modified its prediction of how nicely the iPhone will promote in Q123, it says it might be underestimating Apple.

“Whereas the combination cargo information on the margin doesn’t change our March iPhone forecast,” say the analysts, “we be aware that the restoration in shipments in December and preliminary sell-through checks suggests our 52M iPhone unit estimate might be conservative (Consensus 55M).”