Apple's sales in China jump 67% last quarter (2)

China surpassed the United States to become the world's largest smartphone market last year.

However, Apple's market position slipped to sixth place in China in the third quarter of 2012, from fourth, according to market researcher IDC.

"Apple faced strong challenges from domestic rivals such as Lenovo and Huawei. Mobile phone manufacturers' competition for Chinese smartphone buyers could be even more heated this year," said Li Yanyan, an analyst at Beijing-based research firm Analysys International.

Compared with Apple, Chinese rivals have made a much swifter response to the growing market.

"They introduce new models in short periods, offer competitive prices and usually add rich local services to their mobile devices," Li said.

Samsung had the most buyers in China's smartphone market during the third quarter, followed by Lenovo Group Ltd in second spot, IDC said. Shenzhen-based ZTE Corp and Huawei Technologies held the fourth and fifth place.

Cook visited China this month and he met high-level management from three Chinese telecom carriers.

China Mobile Ltd, the world's biggest telecom operator by subscriber, is the only Chinese carrier that does not have a cooperation agreement with Apple.

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