iPhone 17 shatters records in China — and even Apple didn’t see this coming

Apple’s latest flagship, the iPhone 17, has taken China by storm, smashing early sales records and surprising even long-time market analysts.

Despite rising US-China tech tensions and increasing competition from homegrown brands like Huawei, Apple’s newest smartphone series has seen record-breaking demand, outpacing last year’s iPhone 16 series by 14% in just the first ten days, according to Counterpoint Research.

However, the biggest surprise was the base model iPhone 17. Counterpoint reported that sales of the standard version nearly doubled in China compared to the iPhone 16 over the same period.

“The base model iPhone 17 offers exceptional value for money,” said senior analyst Mengmeng Zhang, highlighting its “better chip, improved display, higher base storage, and upgraded selfie camera, all for the same price as last year’s model.”

In China’s major cities, Apple Stores saw long queues and sell-outs within hours, with one Shenzhen outlet reportedly closing pre-orders early due to overwhelming demand.

Social media posts from Chinese users described the iPhone 17 as the new “status symbol” — a mix of luxury, innovation, and affordability.

Experts say Apple’s pricing strategy and marketing timing hit the sweet spot. By keeping prices flat while upgrading specs, Apple appealed both to loyal fans and cautious upgraders.

Meanwhile, CEO Tim Cook’s recent visit to China and local engagement efforts helped boost enthusiasm, turning the iPhone 17 launch into a national event.

Even Wall Street took notice. Apple shares climbed over 4%, hitting an all-time high following the report.

Analysts say the strong Chinese response not only restores Apple’s dominance in a challenging market but also sends a clear message: the iPhone hype in China is far from over.