Apple could be facing an "informal boycott" from consumers in China

The iPhone XR and iPhone XS Max

While Apple blamed its slowing iPhone sales on China’s weaker economy, certain industry analysts believe the company’s high prices are at fault. But in a new report, economists at Bank of America Merrill Lynch suggest Chinese consumers could be the cause.

With the US and China trade war showing no signs of drawing to a close, it’s claimed that the “spillover from politics” into smartphone sales is particularly high. This has seen local companies encourage consumers to stay away from foreign brands, a move ...