Apple China sales fall 30%

Firm faces growing challenge from local rivals offering new tech and designs

Apple Inc's third consecutive decline in quarterly revenue and profit highlights the challenges the US tech giant faces in China, as local smartphone vendors work hard to experiment with new technologies and designs, analysts said on Wednesday.

Apple said on Tuesday it saw a nearly 30 percent decline in its China revenue in the quarter ending September, the highest fall among all regions, due to tepid demand for its iconic iPhones.