iPhone 17 Wind in the Chinese Smartphone Market!

China's smartphone market showed an annual growth of 8% in October, with Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) holding 25% of all sales. The iPhone 17 series continues to maintain its strong performance.

According to preliminary data from Counterpoint Research's Monthly Smartphone Sales Tracker report, Apple's smartphone sales in China increased by 37% compared to the same period last year.

All iPhone 17 variants experienced mid to high double-digit growth rates compared to the iPhone 16 series. The base model showcased the strongest performance.

Ivan Lam, Senior Analyst from Counterpoint Research, stated, "The iPhone 17 series continues to deliver value for Apple; the base and Pro models are growing the fastest." He added, "With over 80% share for the new iPhone models, we expect the growth to accelerate further with the upward impact of increasing average selling prices (ASP)."

This represents the best start for Apple for a December quarter and indicates that total sales have significantly surpassed the previous peak of October 2021. The fact that one in every four smartphones sold in China is an iPhone is a feat that was only achieved in 2022.

Chinese manufacturers are also performing strongly. Xiaomi regained the second position in the Chinese market after ten years, benefiting from the early launch of the Xiaomi 17 series and the Autumn Festival sales period.

OPPO was the second-largest contributor to growth in the local smartphone market with its flagship Find X9 series, which offers advanced camera technology and long battery life.

Apple's momentum is expected to continue throughout November, preparing the company for its best December quarters. However, Lam noted the competitive risk from Huawei's upcoming Mate 80 series launch, stating, "There is always a risk, especially with Huawei expected to launch on November 25."