Apple iPhone Sales Up 23% in China Amid 4% Market Drop

Apple's iPhone sales in China surged 23 percent year-over-year during the first nine weeks of 2026, bucking a broader market decline of 4 percent, according to market research data released on March 19.

The Chinese smartphone sector, the world's largest, faced headwinds from weak consumer demand and escalating costs for key components, particularly memory chips, which have risen due to surging global demand for artificial intelligence hardware. Despite government subsidies introduced at the start of the year to boost electronics purchases, overall shipments fell short of expectations. Sales dipped further during the Lunar New Year period in February, though promotions by domestic brands provided a slight lift compared to January.

Apple's strong performance stood out amid the downturn. The company benefited from aggressive e-commerce discounts and the eligibility of its base iPhone 17 model for the government's subsidy programs, which helped maintain affordability for consumers. Unlike many competitors, Apple has held prices steady, absorbing some margin pressure from higher component costs. Analysts attribute this resilience to the company's tightly controlled supply chain and...