Apple sales in China rise 22% after iPhone 17 debut

iPhone sales in China rose 22% year-on-year in the first month after the iPhone 17 series launched, according to research firm Counterpoint.

The iPhone 17 lineup, released on September 19, made up nearly 80% of Apple’s smartphone sales in China during that period.

By contrast, iPhone sales in China fell 5% in the first month after the iPhone 16 series launched in September 2024.

China’s overall smartphone market stayed weak, with Q3 sales down 2.7% year-on-year, Counterpoint said.

Apple continues to face strong competition from local brands like Xiaomi and Huawei.

🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

China sales rose 22% alongside early markdowns 1. During presale Pinduoduo priced the 256GB iPhone 17 at CNY 5,099 versus Apple’s CNY 5,999 1. That is a 15% cut with limited time coupons. The 256GB iPhone 17 Pro Max listed at CNY 9,099 versus CNY 9,999 on Apple.com.cn 1. These were marketplace-funded subsidies, not Apple. The broader market stayed soft, with Q3 smartphone sales down 2.7% year over year (Counterpoint).
Trade-ins, which give buyers credit for old phones, added fuel to purchases. JD.com counted iPhone trade-in volume at four times last year on launch day 2. Apple faces margin strain if demand needs promos while Huawei and Xiaomi press harder 3.

Platforms like Xianyu face a flood of supply. Xianyu is Alibaba’s used-goods marketplace 4. It handles 3C (computer, communications, consumer electronics) digital products as its largest GMV (gross merchandise value) category. Mobile phones sit at the top for unit prices. The trade-in spike 2 will send many iPhone 15 and 16 units to resale channels within weeks.
Move on inventory before resale prices settle, then lock in logistics partners for inspection and refurbishment at scale. Xianyu has 600 million registered users and product inspection services that build trust 4. Those assets give secondary marketplaces a shot at profit before smaller rivals react.