Apple has managed to grasp the top spot in the global smartphone market in a quarter of growth, even though shipments of smartphones in China slumped 9%. While 2024 was a growth story for the smartphone, the global market will likely take a hit this year given the tensions in international trade. The cause of Apple’s downfall in China were government subsidies that targeted lower-spec smartphones. The Chinese government introduced subsidies for eight categories of home appliances to boost domestic demand last August. The program was expanded in January to include smartphones, tablets, smart bands, and smartwatches. The deal includes a 15% subsidy for products priced under CNY 6,000 ($818). As a result, Chinese vendors with entry-level to mid-to-high-end products…