Report: Apple gains ground in China as smartphone shipments hit 14-year low in Q3

9to5mac.com Oct 24, 2026

Report: Apple gains ground in China as smartphone shipments hit 14-year low in Q3

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 24, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Apple boosted its share of China’s smartphone market in Q3 2026 despite a 10% drop in shipments, lowest in 14 years. Counterpoint Research reported Apple captured 19.5% of shipments, up 4.8 percentage points, moving from sixth to second place behind Huawei’s 21.3% share. The rise is linked to a strong launch of the iPhone 18 Pro series, which posted 23.5% higher sales in its first three weeks than the previous‑generation model. IDC data showed a 15.4% decline in total Chinese shipments and a 4.3% fall in iPhone volumes, but Apple’s decline was the smallest among the top five manufacturers worldwide, at 4%. Rising memory costs and phone prices are suppressing demand and prompting consumers delay upgrades or buy refurbished devices.

💡 Why It Matters

· Apple’s surge shows premium devices can still grow market share even as overall demand collapses, reshaping brand hierarchies in China’s toughest smartphone market.

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Testing iPhone Duo: Apple nearly solved my biggest concerns

Apple’s iPhone Duo, the company’s first foldable smartphone, expands to a display 50 % larger than the iPhone 18 Pro Max when opened. The reviewer tested three personal concerns—MagSafe compatibility, Face ID reliability, and software adaptation—and found each largely addressed. MagSafe accessories work when the device is closed, and new, slimmer wallets and battery packs are already emerging to fit the Duo’s compact form. Face ID functions without noticeable delay, and the software introduces a versatile StandBy mode, live‑animation weather widgets, a modular clock face, and seamless split‑screen multitasking that feels native. While some third‑party accessories still need redesign, the Duo’s hardware and UI refinements meet the reviewer’s expectations for a practical, productivity‑focused foldable iPhone.

💡 The Duo proves Apple can integrate its ecosystem into a foldable chassis, turning a novelty form factor into a viable productivity tool for existing iPhone users.

9to5google.com · Oct 24

Pixelated 122: Seven years late, same foldable problems

The episode reviews Apple’s inaugural iPhone Duo, marking the company’s entry into the foldable smartphone market after a seven‑year delay. Hosts Abner, Damien, and Will analyze the device’s design, performance, and how it compares to existing Android foldables. They highlight the Duo’s shortcomings, such as limited software optimization and high price, and discuss lessons Android manufacturers can draw. The discussion underscores Apple’s late move and the broader implications for the competitive foldable landscape.

💡 Apple’s late arrival reshapes expectations for foldable innovation, forcing competitors to accelerate development and rethink pricing strategies.

9to5mac.com · Oct 24

9to5Mac Daily: October 23, 2026 – MacBook Pro rumors, iPhone Duo apps

Apple is facing a regulatory requirement to allow alternative app stores on iPhones sold in Australia, a development discussed on the latest 9to5Mac Daily podcast. The episode also examined four design advantages that a forthcoming MacBook Pro redesign could offer over the current generation, including improved thermal management, a slimmer chassis, upgraded display technology, and enhanced port selection. Additionally, Apple highlighted strong developer enthusiasm for its upcoming iPhone Duo feature, noting that app creators are rapidly adapting their software to support the dual‑screen concept. The podcast, sponsored by Backblaze, is released weekdays across major platforms and offers a premium ad‑free tier for subscribers. Listeners can engage with the show via email, ratings, and recommendations on podcast directories.

💡 Opening iPhones to rival stores could reshape Australia’s mobile ecosystem, forcing Apple to adjust its tightly controlled revenue model. Simultaneously, the MacBook Pro upgrades and iPhone Duo support signal Apple’s push to diversify hardware experiences and capture new developer talent.

appleinsider.com · Oct 24

Apple Music has hidden a classic & interactive iPod online

On October 23, 2026, Apple Music’s web portal revealed a hidden, fully functional virtual iPod on its 404 error page, timed to the 25th anniversary of Steve Jobs’s original iPod announcement. Users who long‑press or right‑click the URL https://music.apple.com/404 and select “Open” in a browser are presented with an interactive replica that mimics the classic click‑wheel interface, complete with scrolling, selection sounds and a progress bar for up to roughly 1,000 tracks. The Easter egg, discovered by blogger Edward Munn, appears only through the obscure error page and is not advertised within Apple’s mainstream services. Apple has not confirmed whether the feature was deliberately added for the anniversary or has existed longer.

💡 It turns a routine “page not found” into a nostalgic, shareable experience that re‑engages former iPod users and showcases Apple’s flair for hidden, brand‑centric surprises.

appleinsider.com · Oct 24

John Ternus welcomes iPhone Duo line at Austin Apple Store

Apple launched its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, on Friday, October 23, 2026, after opening pre‑orders a week earlier. The rollout began at the Apple Domain Northside store in Austin, Texas, where newly appointed CEO John Ternus cut the ceremonial ribbon at 9 a.m., accompanied by Senior Vice President of Retail Deirdre O’Brien. Unlike past launches that featured Tim Cook at the Fifth Avenue flagship, the New York opening was handled by Worldwide Marketing SVP Greg Joswiak and Vice President of Stores and Retail Operations Vanessa Trigub. Crowds gathered at Apple locations worldwide as the device entered customers’ hands, marking the company’s entry into the foldable market segment.

💡 The debut positions Apple directly against established foldable competitors, testing the brand’s ability to translate its premium ecosystem into a new form factor.

9to5mac.com · Oct 24

Apple’s official DIY repair guides for the iPhone Duo now available

Apple released the iPhone Duo today and posted a suite of repair documentation for the model. The new support pages address software glitches and hardware faults such as hinge misalignment, Touch ID errors, and display issues, and they include a repair manual with component replacement instructions. Apple advises both owners and independent technicians to read the guide completely before attempting any work and to proceed only if they are comfortable with the procedures. Safety sections cover broken‑glass handling and battery swaps, listing required tools, protective measures, and steps. Although parts and tools are sold through Apple’s Self‑Service Repair Store, replacement components for the iPhone Duo have not yet been stocked. The manual also provides internal diagrams, part numbers and tool lists.

💡 Providing official repair guides empowers third‑party technicians and DIY users, potentially extending device lifespans and lowering waste.