Apple has recorded a strong recovery in China after the launch of the iPhone 17, with iPhone sales rising 22% in the first month compared with a year earlier, according to data from Counterpoint Research. This rebound follows a 5% drop after the iPhone 16 launch in 2024 and comes while China’s overall smartphone market continues to contract.
The iPhone 17 series now shapes Apple’s performance in its largest overseas market. Counterpoint’s figures show that the new models made up nearly 80% of Apple’s iPhone sales in China during the initial launch period from 19 September.
The broader China smartphone market remains under pressure. Counterpoint estimates that total handset sales in the country fell about 2.7% year on year in the third quarter as consumers held back on discretionary spending. Despite that decline, Apple managed to grow unit sales, which suggests that demand for premium devices stayed relatively resilient.
Analysts see the strong iPhone 17 start as a clear reversal from last year. When Apple released the iPhone 16 in September 2024, its first-month sales in China dropped 5%, reflecting tougher local competition and cautious buyers. The latest figures indicate that the company has regained some momentum in a market that remains critical to its global growth.
Launch-day scenes also pointed to renewed enthusiasm. Hundreds of customers queued outside Apple’s Beijing flagship store on 19 September to pick up the iPhone 17, echoing past product cycles and reinforcing signs of brand loyalty. That turnout came even as many Chinese consumers continue to watch spending closely.
Product changes appear to support the stronger sales performance. The iPhone 17 offers a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion up to 120 Hz, slimmer bezels and a front protected by Ceramic Shield 2, which targets users who value durability and smooth visuals. These hardware updates help Apple market the device as a meaningful upgrade for owners of older models.
Camera improvements also play a central role in Apple’s positioning in China’s premium smartphone segment. The iPhone 17 includes a 48-megapixel Fusion main camera with a 2x optical-quality telephoto mode and a 48-megapixel Fusion ultra-wide camera that delivers higher detail than the previous generation.
Apple pairs these features with the A19 chip, which powers its Apple Intelligence tools, Live Translation and Image Playground, along with console-style gaming and fast charging that can add up to eight hours of video playback in about 10 minutes.
These specifications matter in China, where brands compete heavily on performance, imaging and on-device AI features. Huawei and Xiaomi both push flagship models with advanced cameras and AI-driven functions, and they continue to gain share in the domestic market.
Even so, Counterpoint’s latest data suggests that Apple still attracts a loyal base of high-end buyers willing to pay for its ecosystem and software experience, despite the weaker market and the rise of local rivals.
Also Read: iOS 26.0.1 Download: Apple Fixes iPhone 17 Camera and Connectivity Issues