According to ABI Research, a firm focused on market research, Apple would soon deal with more market share rivalry. Several Chinese low-cost smartphone manufacturers would try to take Apple's huge share in the international market.

"The second half of 2013 will be defined by fierce competition between price-aggressive OEMs moving toward the middle tiers for increased margins, while at the same time top tier OEMs are diversifying portfolios into the middle in search of continued growth," Jeff Orr, ABI Research's senior practice director, said.

Apple was said to be preparing to launch its mid-range priced iPhone. Companies like Lenovo and Huawei would vie against the tech titan as they delve into a similar mid-range market. ABI Research noted that feature phones' shipments fell by 20% year on year to 195 million units shipped. Smartphones represented 52% of the total number of handsets shipped in the second quarter.

ABI Research said that Apple's share of the smartphone market plunged to 14.6%. It cited that the success of Samsung's Galaxy S4 could be the reason behind the decline in Apple's market share. It also found out that the smartphone market share increased by 44% in a year.