Apple Reports Record iPhone 17 Pre-Orders in China Despite Competitive Pressure
BEIJING – Apple has seen unprecedented pre-order numbers for the iPhone 17 in China,signaling continued strong demand for its products in the key market,even as domestic rivals intensify competition. The surge in pre-orders comes ahead of the phone’s official launch this week and suggests consumers remain eager for the latest Apple technology despite a challenging economic climate and aggressive moves by Chinese smartphone manufacturers.
The strong initial response for the iPhone 17 follows the triumphant introduction of the iPhone 15 Air, which replaced the plus model earlier this year. Industry analysts at IDC previously anticipated the iPhone Air would account for over 5 to 7 percent of Apple’s global shipments of its Plus models. However, Apple faces increasing pressure from local brands, particularly Huawei, which are actively targeting the high-end segment.
Counterpoint Research senior analyst Ivan Lam noted in july that iPhone sales in China are expected to “stumble amid weak consumer spending” and that “tepid iPhone 17 upgrades won’t spark demand.” Despite this forecast, the record pre-orders indicate a different trend, at least initially.
The competitive landscape heated up just days before Apple’s iPhone 17 unveiling, with huawei launching its second-generation trifold smartphone and Xiaomi accelerating the release of its Xiaomi 16, originally slated for October, to late September. These moves demonstrate the determination of Chinese companies to challenge Apple’s dominance in the premium smartphone market.
This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright © 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. all rights reserved.
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