Apple Inc's (NASDAQ:AAPL, ETR:APC) early sales figures for the iPhone 17 in China suggest the company has regained some momentum in a market that has been drifting lower.
Counterpoint’s latest data (reported via Reuters) indicates that, despite an overall downturn in Chinese smartphone demand, Apple managed a 22% year-on-year lift in unit sales during the first month of the new model cycle.
That rebound looks striking when set against the disappointing start of the iPhone 16 a year earlier, when sales slipped 5% in the equivalent period.
What stands out is the concentration of demand: almost four-fifths of Apple’s Chinese sales came from the iPhone 17 range alone, implying that buyers are waiting specifically for marquee upgrades rather than purchasing across the line-up.
Crowds at the Beijing flagship on launch day reinforce that Apple’s brand pull has not evaporated, even as domestic rivals such as Xiaomi and Huawei sharpen their challenge.
Still, the broader market remains fragile, with third-quarter volumes falling 2.7% on the year.