iPhone 18 Pro Sales Give Apple the Lead in China’s Smartphone Market

Apple took the top spot in China’s smartphone sales during the week of September 14–20 following the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro series, according to Counterpoint Research.

The research firm reported that sales of the new Pro models were 12% higher year over year during their launch week. The iPhone 18 Pro series went on sale in China on September 18, meaning it was available during only the final three days of Counterpoint’s Week 38 measurement period. Apple accounted for 33% of smartphone sales during that week.

The result gives Apple a strong start in a Chinese smartphone market facing weaker consumer demand and higher component costs.

iPhone 18 China Launch Gives Apple a Strong Start

The iPhone 18 China launch initially covers the Pro models rather than the entire iPhone 18 lineup.

Apple released the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max ahead of the standard iPhone 18. Counterpoint reported that the Pro series recorded a 12% year-over-year increase in launch-week sales compared with the previous generation.

Because the Pro models were available for only three days during the September 14–20 measurement period, Apple’s 33% figure should be understood as its smartphone sales share for that week, rather than its overall monthly or annual market share.

The result also does not establish a permanent lead for Apple in China. It represents an early snapshot following the Pro models’ launch.

Why the Pro Models May Have Benefited

One possible factor behind the early performance is Apple’s decision to delay the standard iPhone 18.

Counterpoint senior analyst Ivan Lam suggested that the absence of a new base model during the initial launch period may have encouraged some consumers to choose the Pro models. This is an analyst interpretation rather than a confirmed explanation for Apple’s sales results.

Consumers looking to purchase a new iPhone immediately after launch therefore had the Pro models as Apple’s newest options.

The arrival of the standard iPhone 18 could change Apple’s sales mix by giving consumers another option at a different price point.

Rising Smartphone Prices Change the Competition

The iPhone 18 China results also come as smartphone manufacturers face higher component costs.

Counterpoint said price increases of more than $200 on many Chinese flagship smartphones may have narrowed the traditional price advantage held by some domestic competitors. Lam suggested that the changes could have strengthened the iPhone Pro’s relative value proposition.

This does not mean Apple’s smartphones have become inexpensive compared with domestic alternatives. Instead, the price difference between some premium devices may have changed as manufacturers respond to rising costs.

Memory prices have also become a wider issue for the smartphone industry. Higher component costs can put pressure on manufacturers to raise retail prices or accept lower margins.

China’s Smartphone Market Remains Under Pressure

Apple’s strong launch occurred against a weaker backdrop for China’s wider smartphone market.

Counterpoint reported that smartphone sales during Week 38 were 17% below the comparable period in 2025. The research firm linked the broader weakness to soft consumer demand and higher memory costs.

As a result, Apple’s early performance should not be interpreted as evidence that China’s overall smartphone market has recovered.

Instead, the figures show that Apple’s Pro models performed strongly during a specific launch period while the wider market continued to face challenges.

Apple’s Foldable iPhone Adds Another Opportunity

Apple’s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, is expected to give the company another opportunity in the premium smartphone segment.

Counterpoint estimates that Apple could sell around 6 million units globally in 2026. This is a market forecast rather than confirmed sales data, and actual shipments could differ depending on production and consumer demand.

IDC has also projected that global foldable smartphone shipments could reach 22.9 million units in 2026.

Apple’s entry could therefore add another product category to its premium smartphone lineup, although its eventual impact on the Chinese market remains uncertain.

Can Apple Maintain Its Position?

The initial iPhone 18 China sales figures indicate strong early demand for Apple’s Pro models, but they do not establish how the company will perform over the entire product cycle.

The launch of the standard iPhone 18 could affect Apple’s sales distribution, while Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo continue competing in China’s premium smartphone market.

Pricing, promotions, new product launches and consumer demand will all influence the competitive landscape in the coming months.

FAQs

How did the iPhone 18 Pro perform in China?

Counterpoint reported that iPhone 18 Pro series sales were 12% higher year over year during the launch week in China.

What market share did Apple achieve?

Apple accounted for 33% of China’s smartphone sales during September 14–20, according to Counterpoint. The Pro models were available only during the final three days of that period.

Does this mean Apple is permanently No. 1 in China?

No. The 33% figure relates specifically to Counterpoint’s Week 38 measurement. It should not be treated as Apple’s long-term market share.

Why were the Pro models launched first?

Counterpoint analyst Ivan Lam suggested that delaying the standard iPhone 18 may have encouraged some consumers to choose the Pro models. This remains an analyst explanation rather than a confirmed cause.

What is the iPhone Duo?

The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first foldable smartphone. Counterpoint estimates that Apple could sell around 6 million units globally in 2026, although this remains a forecast.

Conclusion

The iPhone 18 China launch has given Apple’s Pro models a strong early position in the country’s smartphone market. The iPhone 18 Pro series recorded 12% year-over-year growth during its launch week, while Apple captured 33% of smartphone sales during the September 14–20 measurement period.

However, these figures represent an early launch snapshot rather than a measure of Apple’s long-term position in China. The arrival of the standard iPhone 18, pricing changes among competing flagship devices and continued pressure on the wider smartphone market could influence Apple’s position over time.

For now, the results point to strong initial demand for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup while leaving open the question of whether Apple can maintain the same level of performance as the wider iPhone 18 range becomes available.