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Apple defies slowdown with higher iPhone shipments in China thanks to iPhone 17

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Apple’s shipments in China rose slightly in the third quarter, boosted by strong demand for its new iPhone 17 series, according to data released by research firm IDC. Shipments grew 0.6% year-on-year to 10.8 million units, giving Apple a 15.8% share of China’s smartphone market and securing its position as the country’s second-largest vendor.

Overall, China’s smartphone market continued to face weak demand, with total shipments falling 0.6% to 68.4 million units in the third quarter, following a 4% drop in the previous quarter. Despite the sluggish environment, Apple outperformed rivals, becoming the only brand among China’s top three vendors to post growth during the period.

IDC analyst Will Wong credited the success to Apple’s “value-for-money” iPhone 17 base model, which appealed to cost-conscious consumers while maintaining premium quality. By contrast, Huawei’s shipments slipped 1% to 10.4 million units, placing it third, and Xiaomi’s fell 1.7% to 10 million units, ranking fourth. Market leader Vivo saw a sharper decline of 7.8%, down to 11.8 million units.

IDC expects the Chinese smartphone market to recover modestly in early Q4, driven by the release of new flagship models launched in recent months.

iPhone 17 hits Moscow stores as Russian pre-orders surge despite economic strain

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Russian resellers unveiled the iPhone 17 on Saturday, with major retailer Restore: reporting a 66% jump in pre-orders compared to last year, highlighting strong demand for Apple devices despite Russia’s economic downturn.

Russia is grappling with 20-year-high interest rates and a budget deficit exceeding 4 trillion roubles, yet enthusiasm for Apple’s latest smartphones remains resilient. Apple itself halted direct sales and suspended Apple Pay in 2022 due to Western sanctions, but resellers continue to import devices through parallel channels, pushing prices far above U.S. and European levels.

At Afimall City in Moscow’s business district, Restore: displayed the new models for browsing, with deliveries promised in coming days. The base 256GB iPhone 17 is priced at 119,990 roubles ($1,437)—about 57% higher than in the U.S.

“There is a huge fan base that will never exchange iPhone for anything else,” said Lyudmila Semushina, PR director of Restore:. Customer interest is especially high for the redesigned iPhone Air and the upgraded Pro models with improved cameras.

Tech blogger Sergei Yepikhin noted that while Android remains more practical in Russia, the new iPhones’ features are luring users to switch. Restrictions on WhatsApp and Telegram calls have also boosted demand for FaceTime, further embedding iPhones into Russian digital life.

To bypass Apple Pay’s absence, Russian banks such as Sber and T-Bank recently rolled out local contactless payment services. Despite higher logistics costs from imports, Restore: said its supply chain remains “quite stable,” though short-term shortages of new iPhones are expected.

Apple was Russia’s top smartphone brand by revenue in 2024, while Xiaomi led in unit sales, underscoring the iPhone’s enduring premium appeal even in a strained economy.

Apple asks suppliers to ramp up iPhone 17 production after strong demand

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Apple has instructed suppliers to increase production of the entry-level iPhone 17 by at least 30%, after stronger-than-expected pre-orders last weekend, according to The Information. The move indicates that more consumers are opting for the $799 standard model over the premium Pro versions, which start at $1,099.

Apple reportedly asked Luxshare Precision, one of its two main Chinese assemblers alongside Foxconn, to boost daily output of the iPhone 17 by about 40%. The company has not commented on the report.

The surge in demand for the lower-cost iPhone comes as Apple seeks to revive growth in its flagship product line. The new lineup includes the thinner iPhone Air, part of Apple’s effort to lure buyers in a sluggish upgrade cycle. Notably, the iPhone 17 incorporates screen and camera upgrades once exclusive to the Pro models, narrowing the performance gap with higher-priced versions.

Analysts say the trend highlights growing price sensitivity among consumers, particularly in China and other key markets. While strong sales of the entry model may help Apple protect its market share, they could also pressure profit margins, as buyers shift away from Apple’s traditionally higher-margin Pro devices.