Apple Inc.’s iPhone 17 series has driven a 37% monthly increase in smartphone sales in China, according to data from Counterpoint Research. In the month of October, one in every four smartphones sold in China was an iPhone, marking the first time since 2022 that Apple’s phone has reached this threshold.
The data indicates that the annual release of new upgraded models by Apple is resonating with consumers, supporting CEO Tim Cook’s prediction that Apple will return to growth in the Chinese market this quarter. Counterpoint reports that sales of each successor model in the iPhone 17 lineup, ranging from the 5,999 yuan (approximately $850) iPhone 17 to the 8,999 yuan iPhone 17 Pro Max, have surpassed the previous generation iPhone 16 by double-digit percentages.
Apple’s performance has helped revitalize the stagnant Chinese smartphone market, which saw an 8% monthly growth. This market had previously struggled, with even government subsidies failing to boost it. Analyst Ivan Lam from Counterpoint noted that the new iPhones now account for over 80% of Apple’s overall phone shipments, leading to an increase in average selling price (ASP) and likely further amplifying growth.
While demand for the iPhone 17 remains strong, Huawei’s smartphone sales declined by 19% in the same period, partly due to the absence of new models released that month. Huawei is planning to launch new flagship devices next week, seeking to regain market share. Despite Apple’s strong performance, Huawei remains its fiercest competitor in China.
Lam commented, “There are still risks present, especially with the highly anticipated launch of Huawei’s Mate 80 series scheduled for November 25. However, Apple’s current sales momentum is very strong, and there are no clear signs of a significant cooling off that would suggest a sharp decline in sales.”