Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Apple Reclaims Q4 Lead in China on iPhone 17 Strength

Counterpoint says a late-year supply ramp favored iPhone 17 demand, with rising memory costs posing the next test.

Overview

  • Counterpoint reports Apple’s China shipments rose about 28% in Q4 2025, lifting its share to roughly 22% and ranking it No. 1 for the quarter.
  • The iPhone 17 lineup drove the gains, with Pro models leading and the base model boosted by doubled storage at the same starting price.
  • Roughly 20% of Apple’s China shipments in the quarter came from iPhone 17 units, reflecting a heavier premium mix.
  • Apple accelerated supply late in the quarter, which helped meet holiday demand as rivals faced component constraints.
  • The iPhone Air started slowly in China, taking only a low single-digit share due to a later launch and perceived design trade-offs, while Huawei kept the full-year lead and a projected 40–50% rise in memory prices early in 2026 threatens margins and could curb low-end models.