Apple’s iPhone 17 series has made a significant impact in China, with one in every four smartphones sold in October being an iPhone—a milestone not seen since 2022. Despite facing stronger competition in the premium smartphone segment, Apple has seen impressive growth driven primarily by the iPhone 17 series. Each new model in this series reportedly exceeded its predecessor, the iPhone 16, by a substantial mid-to-high double-digit percentage range.
The iPhone 17 series accounted for a dominant share of Apple’s sales in China, with about 80% of all iPhones sold being from this lineup. Apple experienced a 37% increase in iPhone sales in China compared to the previous year, contributing to an 8% overall growth in China’s smartphone market. Meanwhile, competitors showed varying results: Oppo’s sales grew by 19% thanks to new releases like the Find X9, whereas Huawei’s sales declined by 19%. Huawei’s next flagship launch is anticipated to be a key challenge for Apple in the near future.
The base iPhone 17 model, priced at $799 in the U.S., has been particularly popular and exhibited the fastest growth in China. This model’s appeal lies in its balance of enhanced features, including a better chip, sharper display, increased storage, and an improved selfie camera, all while maintaining the previous model’s price. This strong demand is expected to boost Apple’s revenue further as average selling prices continue to rise.
Sales momentum remains strong worldwide, with the iPhone 17 series largely sold out across many regions. The iPhone Air, a newer variant, has been widely available and did not face the same stock disruptions except in China, where regulatory delays initially caused short-term scarcity. Shipping delays for models like the iPhone 17 Pro Max in China have been minimal and comparable to other major markets such as the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Overall, the iPhone 17 lineup has given Apple one of its best starts to a December quarter, with sales surpassing previous peaks and reinforcing Apple’s position in a competitive market.
