On November 18th, the latest monitoring data released by market research firm Counterpoint Research showed that Apple's ... Apple delivered a stellar performance in the Chinese smartphone market. Driven by strong sales of the iPhone 17 series, Apple's smartphone sales in China surged 37% year-on-year that month, with its market share climbing to 25%. This marks the first time since 2022 that Apple's monthly market share has surpassed the quarter mark.
Data from Counterpoint Research further shows that the iPhone 17 series accounted for over 80% of Apple's total sales that month. From the iPhone 17 priced at 5999 yuan to the iPhone 17 Pro Max priced at 8999 yuan, all models achieved double-digit growth. This strong performance drove an 8% year-on-year increase in overall smartphone sales in China. It's worth noting that October coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, leading to a concentrated release of consumer demand and creating a favorable market environment for the sales growth of the iPhone 17 series.
Currently, the Chinese smartphone market is undergoing a period of structural adjustment. In the third quarter of 2025, the overall shipment volume of the Chinese smartphone market decreased by 0.6% year-on-year. Vivo retained its top position with a 17.3% share, while Apple and Huawei ranked second and third with 15.8% and 15.2% shares respectively, indicating fierce market competition. However, after entering October, the market landscape changed significantly. Apple achieved a breakthrough with the explosive growth of its new products, gaining a 25% market share, far exceeding the level of the third quarter. Meanwhile, OPPO achieved a 19% year-on-year growth thanks to its Find X9 model.
Competition is particularly fierce in the high-end smartphone market above 6,000 yuan. Huawei holds a 30.7% market share in this segment, while Apple leads with 51.1%. The iPhone 17 series has achieved a 69% penetration rate in the high-end market. Counterpoint analyst Ivan Lam stated that higher average selling prices will further amplify Apple's revenue growth, and its market share is expected to continue to consolidate in the fourth quarter.
Supply chain data shows that Apple has planned ample production capacity for the iPhone 17 series, with an estimated output of 54 million units in the third quarter and an expected increase to 79 million units in the fourth quarter, bringing the total annual output to 133 million units.
According to early data from Counterpoint Research, iPhone 17 sales in the key markets of the US and China have increased by 14% compared to the iPhone 16 in the same period last year. In Apple's latest fourth-quarter earnings report, thanks to strong iPhone sales, Apple's total revenue reached $102.47 billion, a 7.9% year-over-year increase, setting a new record for the period; net profit surged 86% to $27.47 billion. The 14% surge in iPhone 17 sales played a significant role in this growth. However, it's worth noting that Apple's revenue in Greater China in the fourth fiscal quarter was $14.493 billion, a 3.6% decrease from $15.033 billion in the same period last year, making it the only region globally to experience a revenue decline.
Market analysts believe that with the arrival of the year-end peak season for consumption and the continued abundance of product supply, sales of the iPhone 17 series in the Chinese market are expected to reach new highs.
(Article source: Jiemian News)
