Apple enjoyed record market share in China during the three months ending in February according to a new report from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech. iPhone 6 was the number one selling smartphone in China during the period, and iOS grew its market share to 27.6 percent, up from 17.9 percent in the year ago period—Android lost 9.4 percent share, but still ruled the market with 70.9 total share.
"There has been a strong appetite for Apple’s products in urban China seen since the launch of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and this has continued into Chinese New Year," Carolina Milanesi, chief of research at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, said in a statement.
She added, "China Mobile’s subscribers accounted for 59 percent of the 27.6 percent volume share recorded by iOS in the latest period. Across key global markets Apple’s momentum generally continued from last month, with market share gains in all markets except the US and Japan."
Source: Kantar
Not only did Apple take share directly from Android, Apple also upset local darling Xiaomi, kicking that company from the #1 spot in unit sales. Apple also claimed both the #1 and #3 spot for individual models with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Xiaomi RedMI Note slipped to the #2 spot.
"In urban China, Apple iPhone 6 remained the best selling phone in the three months ending in February growing its share to 10.2 percent compared to 9.5 percent registered in the three months ending in January," said Tamsin , strategic insight director at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech Asia.
Elsewhere
Apple took 2.9 percent share from Android in Europe, but lost 0.4 percent in the U.S. Apple had 38.8 percent share during the three months ending in February. The iPhone 6 was the top selling device in that period.
Source: Kantar