Apple has sold more than 2 million of its new iPhone 5 in China during its first three days on sale, marking the country's best-selling iPhone rollout ever.
But the highly anticipated release in China, Apple's second-biggest market, has not eased worries about stiffer competition in the smartphone market, which is driving a slide in the share price of the world's most valuable technology company.
Customer response to iPhone 5 in China has been incredible.
Apple shares fell 3.8 per cent on Friday to $509.79 after the iPhone 5's China debut, while Citi Research downgraded Apple's stock late on Sunday to "neutral" from "buy" and lowered Apple's price target to $575 from $675, citing diminishing hype around the iPhone 5 and improving competition in smartphones.
Apple's latest iPhone made its global debut with a launch in the United States and 30 other countries in September, selling more than 5 million in its first three days on the market.
"Customer response to iPhone 5 in China has been incredible, setting a new record with the best first weekend sales ever in China," Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said in a statement.
This is the first time Apple has announced China sales numbers for the iPhone.
Analysts say Apple's longer-term outlook in the China market, however, may hinge on expanding its partners in that country to include China Mobile Ltd, the country's top telecoms carrier.
-
Should AI PCs be part of your next hardware refresh?AI PCs are fast becoming a business staple and a surefire way to future-proof your business
-
Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI launch brace of new channel initiativesNews Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI have announced the launch of two new channel growth initiatives focused on the managed security service provider (MSSP) space and AWS Marketplace.
