by LI Kefeng
Apple's China sales rose 37% in October, pushing its monthly market share to 25%, the highest since 2022, according to Counterpoint Research. The rebound was fueled by strong demand for the iPhone 17 series during the Mid-Autumn and National Day holiday period.
The iPhone 17 lineup made up more than 80% of Apple's October shipments. Models priced from 5999 yuan to 8999 yuan (about US$844-1265) all saw double-digit growth, helping lift China's smartphone market by 8% year on year.
The market had been stagnant through the third quarter, when vivo led with 17.3% share, followed by Apple at 15.8% and Huawei at 15.2%. October marked a clear shift: Apple's share jumped to 25%, while OPPO's Find X9 posted 19% growth.
Competition is intense in the premium segment above 6000 yuan. Huawei held 30.7% in this bracket, while Apple led with 51.1%. The iPhone 17 series already accounts for 69% of Apple's premium sales. Counterpoint analyst Ivan Lam said higher average selling prices will support Apple's revenue momentum into the fourth quarter.
Apple has planned ample supply, producing about 54 million iPhone 17 units in the third quarter and targeting 79 million in the fourth, bringing expected full-year output to 133 million.
Early Counterpoint data shows iPhone 17 sales in China and the United States are up 14% from the iPhone 16 cycle. Apple's latest quarterly results showed revenue rising 7.9% to US$102.47 billion, with net profit up 86% to US$27.47 billion. iPhone shipments rose 14%, contributing significantly to the gains.
Greater China remained the outlier, with revenue falling 3.6% to US$14.493 billion, the only regional decline. Analysts expect strong year-end demand and stable supply to keep iPhone 17 sales elevated in the coming weeks.
