Chinese phonemakers are promoting apps that help users switch from the iPhone in a race to gain market share as Apple struggles to provide artificial intelligence features in the world’s largest smartphone market.

The top five domestic phonemakers, which compete fiercely in China, have all touted programs this year that make it easier for customers to migrate from Apple’s iOS operating system or to use their Chinese phones alongside Apple devices.

The campaigns come as China’s internet regulator has delayed the approval of Apple’s planned introduction of AI features because of geopolitical tensions with the US.

The country’s smartphone market is highly competitive, with no company holding a share greater than 20 per cent. Apple, previously a market leader, was dethroned last year by Vivo, which commanded 18.5 per cent as of the third quarter of this year, according to Counterpoint Research.

Apple, Honor, Oppo, Xiaomi and Huawei each held between 13.6 per cent and 16.4 per cent in the third quarter.

Financial Times: Financial Times (Subscription required)