Apple's new iPhone 17 series has experienced a phenomenal launch in China, smashing pre-order records and demonstrating the enduring strength of the Apple brand despite intensifying competition. Within the first minute of pre-orders opening on JD.com, one of China's largest e-commerce platforms, sales surpassed the entire first-day pre-order volume of the iPhone 16 series in 2022. The 256GB standard iPhone 17 model proved the most popular choice.
The overwhelming demand caused significant website traffic issues. Reports surfaced of customers struggling to access Apple's pre-order page, with one successful buyer noting a five-minute delay in payment processing. Apple retail stores in Shanghai saw all in-person pick-up slots for the iPhone 17 Pro Max booked within a mere 20 minutes of opening. As of Saturday morning, pre-orders in Guangzhou faced delivery delays extending to October 15th.
Analysts attribute this success to Apple's strong brand loyalty in China and the appeal of the latest iPhone features. Nabila Popal, senior research director at IDC, highlighted Apple's strategic product segmentation, stating that "each model appeals to distinct user needs, driving a robust wave of new purchases." TrendForce's projection of a 3.5% increase in global iPhone 17 series shipments compared to the iPhone 16, with the Pro series leading sales, supports this positive outlook. The new iPhone Air model is also expected to significantly contribute to sales.
However, the positive momentum doesn't negate the challenges Apple faces. Counterpoint Research's Ivan Lam points to aggressive competition from domestic brands, especially Huawei, targeting the high-end smartphone market. He predicts potential sales stumbles in the latter half of 2025 due to weak consumer spending and a decrease in iPhone 17 upgrades. Despite this forecast, the remarkable initial success of the iPhone 17 in China underscores Apple's continued dominance in the premium smartphone sector for now.
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Originally published at: https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3325424/chinese-pre-orders-apples-iphone-17-break-records-amid-strong-demand
