Apple’s iPhone 16 sales in China have risen by 20% just three weeks after its debut, with the Pro and Pro Max models seeing a 44% increase compared to last year’s versions.
This growth may be due to last year’s challenges, including production issues that impacted the iPhone 15 lineup and the success of Huawei Technologies Co.’s Mate 60 series, which attracted local consumers. According to Counterpoint Research, smoother production for the iPhone 16 and a steady pricing strategy have helped the bounce back in China’s competitive market.
However, Apple still faces significant challenges in maintaining its position in the Chinese market. These include the lack of a local partner to support AI features, Beijing’s restrictions on foreign-developed AI models, and upcoming product launches or improvements from local competitors like Vivo, Huawei, and Oppo, all of which are set to happen this year.
Despite these hurdles, Apple remains confident in the iPhone’s role as its most important product, contributing nearly half of the company’s sales and encouraging customers to purchase accessories. Some Chinese consumers may, however, delay their purchases until November’s Singles’ Day discounts from retailers like Alibaba and JD.com.
