New Delhi — Apple iPhone 17 series has posted a stronger launch performance than last year’s iPhone 16 lineup, led by surging sales in China and solid demand in the United States.
Research firm Counterpoint reported that the iPhone 17 outperformed the iPhone 16 series by 14% in unit sales during the first ten days of availability in the two markets.
In China, the base iPhone 17 model nearly doubled its unit sales compared with the iPhone 16 base model over the same launch period. Across both markets, the base variant’s sales rose by 31%. The figures reflect a stronger reception for Apple’s newest generation following its global launch in September.
The company’s shares jumped more than 4% to around $263, bringing Apple’s valuation close to the $4 trillion mark. Analysts said the increase reflected investor confidence in Apple’s ability to sustain growth through the December quarter, typically the company’s busiest sales period.
The new iPhone 17 lineup features a faster chip, an improved display, expanded base storage and an upgraded front camera, all offered at the same price as the iPhone 16 series. The pricing strategy appears to have struck a chord with consumers in China, where competition from local brands has been intensifying.
Apple iPhone 17 base model outpaces expectations
In the three-month period ending in September, Apple’s smartphone shipments in China rose to 10.8 million units, giving it a 15.8% market share, the only major brand among the top three to post growth.
The strong uptake of the base iPhone 17 contributed to that momentum, with consumers responding positively to the perceived value improvements over the prior generation.
In China, the demand trend appears to be shifting from premium differentiation to accessible flagship features, a segment that Apple has now strengthened with the base iPhone 17.
The model’s strong performance contrasts with expectations that local competition might dampen sales, particularly after earlier government and corporate device restrictions.
In the United States, demand leaned toward the higher-end versions of the iPhone 17, particularly the Pro and Pro Max models.
Carrier subsidies and trade-in incentives helped support upgrades, with carriers reportedly offering around 10% higher incentives than during last year’s iPhone 16 launch.
The mix of strong base model volume in China and premium model upgrades in the U.S. suggests Apple is capturing both ends of the market. Analysts expect this could help lift Apple’s average selling price and margins in the coming quarter.
The jump in Apple’s share price followed the Counterpoint report, signalling investor optimism about the early trajectory of the iPhone 17 cycle.
The company’s next quarterly earnings report, scheduled for October 30, will provide the first official view of how the early sales have translated into revenue and margins.
Brokerage estimates suggest Apple could report record quarterly revenue if the iPhone 17 maintains its current sales pace through the holiday season. Evercore ISI and Wedbush Securities have raised their price targets, citing strong pre-orders and early retail checks.
In China, anecdotal data from retailers in Shanghai and Beijing indicated that the base Apple iPhone 17 model sold out within hours of release, with many customers opting for the 256GB variant as the default configuration.
Online delivery wait times extended to over a week within 48 hours of the launch, underscoring high demand and limited initial supply.
Despite the upbeat launch data, analysts remain focused on whether the sales surge represents sustained demand or early replacement cycles from existing users.
The average upgrade cycle for iPhone users has extended to around three years, and Apple will need continued demand through the holiday season to maintain growth.
Apple’s supply chain capacity will also be a key determinant. Production data from Taiwan and mainland China suggest the company ramped up output by 12% quarter-on-quarter in anticipation of the iPhone 17 launch.
Continued strong demand could put additional pressure on component suppliers such as TSMC and Foxconn through the December quarter.
Globally, the smartphone market remains subdued, with unit shipments declining year-on-year. Apple’s early success with the iPhone 17 series stands out against this backdrop, suggesting that the company is still able to capture premium consumer spending even as rivals face stagnation.
Apple iPhone 17 outlook
The iPhone 17’s early performance positions Apple for a potentially record holiday quarter. Strong demand for the base model in China and the premium Pro variants in the U.S. point to balanced growth across segments.
If Apple maintains production stability and meets delivery timelines, analysts expect the company’s quarterly iPhone revenue to rise by as much as 10% compared with the same period last year.
While questions remain about sustainability beyond the initial launch phase, early signs show Apple’s strategy of incremental innovation and pricing stability is resonating in both mature and competitive markets.
The next few weeks, leading up to China’s Singles’ Day and the U.S. Black Friday promotions, will determine whether the strong start of Apple iPhone 17 translates into long-term momentum.
