Counterpoint: Apple's (AAPL.US) iPhone sales in China fell double digits during Singles Day

Market research firm Counterpoint Research said Apple's iPhone sales in China during the Double 11 shopping festival this year fell by double-digit percentage year-on-year, as the company faced pressure from "unusually high" competition. Counterpoint noted that the main reason for the iPhone sales decline was that several mobile phone manufacturers launched new phones ahead of Double 11. "Double 11 is one of the biggest shopping festivals in China. To seize this opportunity, major Chinese mobile phone manufacturers except Huawei launched their latest flagship models ahead of the festival," Counterpoint said. Apple's iPhone sales during Double 11 highlighted the increasing competition the company faces in the world's largest smartphone market, especially from Huawei, and in response, Apple has launched several discount activities to promote phone sales.