Editing Apple Inc. (section)

=== Challenges: Navigating Headwinds   ===
Apple faced significant industry-specific challenges in 2019. The global smartphone market declined by 1%, with iPhone sales dropping by 8% due to market saturation and fierce competition, particularly from Chinese manufacturers like Xiaomi<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200130005373/en/Counterpoint-Research-Global-Smartphone-Market---Apple |quote=The global smartphone market declined by 1% YoY in 2019, with Apple gaining the top spot in Q4 2019 despite overall market challenges. }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/02/apple-aapl-earnings-q1-2023.html |quote=Apple's iPhone sales declined by 8% in 2019, marking the first year-over-year sales decline since 2019. }}</ref>. The wearables sector also saw heightened competition following Google’s $2.1 billion acquisition of Fitbit<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/2019/11/01/google-buys-fitbit-for-21b-now-apple-has-real-competition-in-wearable-tech/ |quote=Google's acquisition of FitBit for $2.1 billion in 2019 increased competition for Apple in the wearable tech market. }}</ref>.  

Regulatory scrutiny intensified, with Apple navigating compliance issues related to anti-trust laws and trade regulations<ref>{{cite web |url=https://standrewseconomist.com/2024/04/16/apples-regulatory-issues-and-the-implications/ |quote=Apple faced increased regulatory scrutiny in 2019, including requirements to allow alternative payment methods and app stores. }}</ref>. Despite these pressures, the company’s wearables, including the Apple Watch and AirPods, thrived, becoming its second-largest revenue category after the iPhone<ref>{{cite web |url=https://9to5mac.com/2019/08/12/growth-in-apples-wearables/ |quote=Apple's wearables, including the Apple Watch and AirPods, grew rapidly in 2019 and were expected to overtake iPad and Mac in revenue. }}</ref>.  

----