The iPhone 17 series have outsold the iPhone 16 series by 14% during the first 10 days of availability in both America and China, Apple’s two key markets that make up the bulk of iPhone sales globally, according to Counterpoint Research’s China, “US Q3 2025 Weekly Smartphone Sell-Out Tracker.”
Of the four iPhone variants, this year’s base model iPhone 17 is performing well, especially in China, where consumers are reacting warmly to its strong value offering. “The base model iPhone 17 is very compelling to consumers, offering great value for money,” Senior Analyst Mengmeng Zhang said in a statement. “A better chip, improved display, higher base storage, selfie camera upgrade – all for the same price as last year’s iPhone 16. Buying this device is a no brainer, especially when you throw channel discounts and coupons into the mix. Simply put, it provides extremely good value-for-money, and Chinese consumers are rewarding Apple for that.”
In the US, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has seen the strongest ramp in demand as the big three carriers boost maximum subsidies by 10% ($100), reflecting a strategic shift towards ultra-premium customer segments in the US market. “Carriers here are looking to maximize lifetime value by converting strong device subsidies into years of higher monthly service revenue through 24 or 36-month financing contracts,” Senior Analyst Maurice Klaehne said in a statement. “The emphasis on Pro Max offers has made the ultra-premium Apple device more accessible to customers, bolstering premiumization trends and strengthening high-value customer ties to the Apple ecosystem.”
The eSIM-only iPhone Air is performing slightly better than the iPhone 16 Plus and questions over the availability of iPhone Air in China have been lifted with the official announcement of pre-orders beginning on October 17. “This is a big milestone for Apple and more broadly for eSIM,” Senior Analyst Ivan Lam said in a statement. “But the shorter pre-order period and high price compared to the spec-high and feature-rich base model iPhone 17 means the Air will likely remain niche initially.”
MacDailyNews Take: Apple’s batch of 2025 iPhones is looking like a mini super cycle!
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QUESTION: What is the killer use case/app for any phone?
ANSWER: The Camera capabilities.
QUESTION: Is the iPhone Air sitting in the right price at $999?
ANSWER: IAs long as it has only one camera it will simply not sell well – at any price.
If the iPhone Air had a wide-angle camera as well, it would be doubling sales. And yes, they could have fit in another camera, and shrunk the PCB and more shielding needs, and more costs. So they didn’t do it.
However, Apple did build an upgrade path to the Air. If they do continue it and update it, a second camera is almost a given. But all iPhones next fall will be overshadowed by the foldable version.
Apple’s move toward better and better displays and her ongoing commitment to make better Apple Intelligence is resonating its customers. I have neither seen new Apple displays nor Apple Intelligence but please let me use Gujarati (An Indian Language) Proverb “પરણ્યા ન હોય પણ જાનમાં તો ગયા હોય ને.”
USA and China know a good value when they see One. India may also see one but budget constraints stop middle class Indians in their tracks.
Why am I saying this? Y-o-Y growth in India should have been in 3 digits and not in 2 digits. Apple have scored USA and China at the expense of many other emerging markets. Apple is a regional company and the regions her being USA and China.
apple has low-cost Mac (the iPhone processor one,) and low cost iPad but no low-cost iPhone and that is going to hurt them high in the long run.
Now as the special days of Apple are arriving, the iPhone prices will go through the roof and many emerging markets will not climb the steps of Apple Stores ever again. At ₹1,00,000 for flagship, nobody in middle class anywhere will buy anything from Apple stores or its franchises.