iPhone 15 Sees Disappointing Start In China, Sales Down 4.5 Per Cent: Report

Analysts from Jefferies Group have pointed at a worse, double-digit drop in iPhone 15 sales.

It should be noted that the iPhone 15 Pro models were plagued by heating issues.

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The newly-launched Apple iPhone 15 is off to a weak start in China as compared to last year's models, analysts at Counterpoint Research have said. This comes amid weak smartphone consumption and rise of China's homegrown tech behemoth Huawei. Sales of the new iPhone 15 models is 4.5 per cent down in comparison to previous-gen iPhone 14 devices. According to news agency Bloomberg, analysts from Jefferies Group have pointed at a worse, double-digit drop in iPhone 15 sales.

Sales of Apple’s flagship device are down 4.5 per cent compared with the iPhone 14 over their first 17 days after release, market research firm Counterpoint Research estimated in previously unreported figures, as per Bloomberg report. Jefferies analysts, led by Edison Lee estimated sales of the iPhone 15 were down by an even sharper double-digit percentage from its predecessor after Huawei outsold Apple overall, on the back of the surprising blockbuster debut of the Mate 60 Pro.

“We’re seeing a lot of nationalism right now as Chinese consumers who think they’ve been wronged by the US government and sanctions are gravitating toward the Mate 60 and that is edging into Apple volumes,” Jeff Fieldhack, Research Director, Counterpoint was quoted as saying by CNN.

Huawei recently made a solid comeback with its new Mate 60 line which comes with a breakthrough proprietary chip, after years of US sanctions. The Huawei Mate 60 was "sold out" in China amid much enthusiasm as the handset maker was seen as a brand that can break through US-imposed sanctions. The new Mate series comprises the Huawei Mate 60 and an advanced Mate 60 Pro, which is said to support 5G.

It should be noted that the iPhone 15 line was plagued by heating issues that was later acknowledged by Apple. The company stated "background activity" as contributors to the heating issue. 

The premium iPhone 15 Pro models boasted a new titanium build and advanced A17 Pro chipsets compared to the A16 chips featured in the base models. Despite the exciting launch, several users raised concerns about overheating problems associated with the iPhone 15 Pro models. Some users even reported the devices becoming uncomfortably warm to the touch.