Overview

• Apple’s iPhone sales in mainland China rose 8% year-on-year in Q2 2025, marking the first quarterly growth since Q2 2023.
• The rebound was driven by aggressive May promotions, including substantial iPhone 16 price cuts, enhanced trade-in credits and eligibility for up to 500 yuan in national consumer subsidies.
• Despite the recovery, Apple ranked third in China’s smartphone market, with Huawei leading the sector after posting 12% year-on-year sales growth.
• Counterpoint Research warns that weak consumer spending, an ageing product cycle and intensified competition from domestic rivals could slow iPhone sales in the second half of 2025.
• Investors have welcomed signs of a turnaround in China after Apple’s stock fell about 15% this year as U.S. tariff threats and geopolitical tensions weighed on sentiment.