Apple sees 6% increase in Chinese iPhone sales as smartphone market perks up
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Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) saw a 6% year-over-year increase in Chinese iPhone sales around the start of 2023, while the broader smartphone market also showed signs of life, Counterpoint Research said on Wednesday.
According to the firm, Apple (AAPL) remained the market leader in China in terms of sales share. 
For the broader smartphone market in China, Counterpoint said sales at the start of the year increased week-over-week to reach more than 7M the week before the Chinese New Year. In four of five weeks, smartphone sales were above 6M, a level "seldom" reached in 2022 as the country dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic.
January monthly sales were flat compared to the year-ago period, but grew more than 40% sequentially Counterpoint added, as China continues to emerge from the pandemic and removed its draconian policies towards the pandemic.
Counterpoint added that a number of Android smartphones will launch in the first-quarter, including Samsung's (OTCPK:SSNLF) new Galaxy S23, but companies are still "cautious" about restocking, following the COVID-related shock in December and high levels of inventory in the first-half of 2022.
Apple (AAPL) shares saw fractional losses in early trading on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, it was disclosed that Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) (BRK.B) had raised its stake in Apple (AAPL) during the fourth-quarter, while making several other changes to its portfolio.