[ ](http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/06/idc-apple-slipped-to-sixth-in-china-smartphone-share-during-q3/)
The Chinese smartphone market is a [tough nut to crack](http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/12/gartner-samsung-top-smartphone-maker-china/) given its sensitivity to prices and a slew of strong domestic brands. [IDC](http://www.engadget.com/tag/IDC/) estimates suggest Apple may have learned this the hard way during the third quarter of this year: it slipped from fourth place in local market share during the second quarter to sixth. Samsung kept out in front, but everyone else who knocked Apple down a couple of pegs was from the neighborhood, starting with second-place Lenovo followed by [Coolpad](http://www.engadget.com/tag/Coolpad/), ZTE and Huawei. Price and wider availability no doubt played a part in shifting further towards a (mostly) Android-based field, although the period may have also exacerbated the [pre-update lull](http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/25/idc-iphone-wait-cuts-apple-china-phone-share-by-nearly-half/) in sales that Apple often faces -- while those in some countries were picking up an [iPhone 5](http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/18/apple-iphone-5-review/) in September, China won't have its turn [until December 14th](http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/30/apple-iPhone5-ipad-mini-china/). Fourth quarter results won't completely reverse the state of affairs, but they could easily be worth watching.
Filed under: [Cellphones](http://www.engadget.com/category/cellphones/), [Mobile](http://www.engadget.com/category/mobile/), [Apple](http://www.engadget.com/category/apple/), [Samsung](http://www.engadget.com/category/samsung/), [Lenovo](http://www.engadget.com/category/lenovo/)
**[Comments](http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/06/idc-apple-slipped-to-sixth-in-china-smartphone-share-during-q3/#comments)**
**Source:** [Reuters](http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/us-china-smartphones-idUSBRE8B50DX20121206)
URL: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/06/idc-apple-slipped-to-sixth-in-china-smartphone-share-during-q3/
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