Data compiled by research firm Canalys shows that sales of Apple’s iPhone in China grew during the last quarter, seeing growth for the first time since late 2023. However, Apple still has a way to go to beat Chinese smartphone makers.
While it was expected that a 2024 Chinese government subsidy designed to stimulate the economy was likely to give the iPhone a sales boost. However, it now appears that sales of the iPhone were already rising before the subsidy could have any effect.
Canalys says Apple shipped 10.1 million iPhones in the quarter ending June 2025, an increase of 4% year over year, marking the first time sales of the iPhone has seen any growth in China since the fourth quarter of 2023.
The improvement in sales for the iPhone is even more significant because during the quarter ending March 2025, shipments of all non-Chinese smartphones dramatically fell, down almost 50% year over year.
The March quarter sales improvement is also significant, as Apple usually sells most of its iPhones in the period between September and the holiday season. However, Apple launched the lower-cost iPhone 16e in February 2025.
Canalys claims that overall, Apple “strategically adjusted its pricing for the new iPhone 16 series,” during the quarter, in order to capitalize on demand during China’s “618” shopping season.
While Apple saw iPhone sales increase, it wasn’t enough to reach the top spots, settling in at fifth place. Huawei took the top spot with shipments of 12.2 million, followed by vivo on 11.8 million units shipped.
