Apple Misses Out on Big 2024 Smartphone Market Rebound, IDC Says.

Global smartphone sales rebounded in 2024, with Apple Inc. experiencing minimal growth compared to Android-based rivals, particularly in China and emerging markets. Despite shipping more phones overall, iPhone volumes only increased by 0.4%. The market recovery was uneven, driven by pent-up demand in regions with lower smartphone penetration, with Chinese brands benefiting from more affordable devices. The addition of artificial intelligence enhancements did not significantly impact consumer demand, with brands like Xiaomi and Huawei investing in hardware and designing their own processors to stay competitive. Overall, smartphone shipments have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, with low-single-digit growth expected in the coming years due to longer upgrade times, market saturation, and a growing trade in used smartphones. [Extracted from the article]