Apple iPhone 16 sales soar 20% in China debut as demand recovers

SALES of Apple’s newest iPhones in China are up 20 per cent in their first three weeks compared with 2023’s model, a positive sign for a device that struggled this year to gain traction in the world’s largest smartphone market.

The iPhone 16 debuted in September and has outperformed its predecessor so far, according to Counterpoint Research data provided to Bloomberg News. Consumers continue to shift to the pricier models. Sales of the top-end Pro and Pro Max models gained 44 per cent compared with last year’s equivalents.

“Given the smooth production ramp-up, consistent pricing strategy, and the initial wave of upgrades by existing iPhone users, the iPhone 16 series has experienced substantial growth in the Chinese domestic market,” Counterpoint analyst Ivan Lam said. “The product mix has also improved markedly.”

While just a three-week snapshot, the data suggests Apple’s 2024 launch is faring better than last year’s. Production issues snarled the iPhone 15 family early on, which may have constrained initial sales, Lam said. Apple’s marquee device also faced a stiff challenge from Huawei Technologies’ Mate 60 handset series, which won over local consumers with a made-in-China processor. That device continues to sell well, according to Lam. BLOOMBERG