Apple Takes 33% of China Smartphone Sales in Week 38

Apple led China’s smartphone market in the week of September 14 to 20, taking 33% of sales after the iPhone 18 Pro series went on sale during the period’s final three days, according to Counterpoint Research. The research firm said sales of the new Pro models were 12% higher than those of the iPhone 17 Pro series, though reports differ on the comparison period used for that growth estimate. The figures point to a strong opening for Apple’s latest premium phones in a market facing broader weakness. Counterpoint reported that China’s smartphone sales were down 17% year over year in a recent period. The reports do not consistently specify whether that decline applied to Week 38 alone or reflected a longer trend beginning in July. Counterpoint analyst Ivan Lam said the delayed release of the standard iPhone 18 may have led some buyers to choose a Pro model rather than wait. Apple released the Pro models first, while the standard version was scheduled for a later launch. That timing could have concentrated demand in the premium line, although the available figures do not establish how much of the sales increase resulted from the release schedule.