TLDRs;
- iPhone 17 sales soar 14% in the initial ten days across the United States and China.
- Demand for the base model iPhone 17 in China nearly doubles that of its predecessor, the iPhone 16.
- Analysts attribute the sales spike to the new A19 chip, increased storage options, and attractive trade-in programs.
- Apple’s stock experiences an uptick as trade-in offers and e-commerce strategies elevate early quarter performance.
Apple Inc. (AAPL) shares ascended on Monday, buoyed by early sales figures indicating that the newly launched iPhone 17 series is surpassing the performance of the previous year’s iPhone 16 models.
As reported by Counterpoint Research, sales in both the United States and China surged by 14% within the first ten days post-launch, heralding a promising beginning to Apple’s fiscal year 2025.
This remarkable increase can be ascribed to a combination of advanced hardware, the introduction of the A19 chip, and more substantial base storage options that have appealed to consumers in both regions.
Notably, the entry-level iPhone 17 has emerged as a standout performer, with demand in China nearly doubling that of the base model iPhone 16 during its launch period.
The favorable market reception reflected in Apple’s stock price saw AAPL trading on the NasdaqGS rise by 4.26%, reaching $263.12 as of 1:53 PM EDT.Apple Inc. (AAPL)
China’s Market Lifts Hardware Momentum
Despite the anticipated approval of Apple Intelligence, the company’s latest on-device AI features awaiting rollout in China, robust hardware sales are nonetheless driving remarkable performance in a crucial market.
Chinese e-commerce platforms have been instrumental in this resurgence. Discount-driven platforms like Pinduoduo slashed prices by as much as CNY900 within the launch week, offering the 256GB iPhone 17 at CNY5,099, significantly less than Apple’s official price of CNY5,999.
Simultaneously, JD.com reported that preorders for the iPhone 17 surpassed those of the iPhone 16 on launch day, with trade-in volumes surging fourfold year over year by 10 a.m.
Industry analysts propose that these early promotions may have precipitated heightened demand, with much of the initial sales surge linked to trade-in incentives and aggressive retail discounts.
Nevertheless, a broader demand forecast remains steady, bolstered by a loyal base of upgraders and renewed consumer enthusiasm for premium Apple products.
Trade-Ins Fuel Upgrade Cycle
The latest iPhone launch has catalyzed a vigorous acceleration within the secondary device market. Counterpoint highlights that refurbishers and recommerce platforms are bracing for an influx of older iPhone models, particularly those from the iPhone 13 to 15 series, as 2025 progresses.
Trade-in initiatives yielded $1.34 billion for consumers in Q2 2025, with the average device age at 3.88 years, and the iPhone 13 retaining its status as the most-traded model for the fourth consecutive quarter.
This surge in trade-ins indicates a dynamic upgrade cycle and corroborates that Apple’s ecosystem strategy—melding hardware offerings with buyback incentives—is functioning as designed.
Analysts contend that this could present advantages for logistics and diagnostics firms managing refurbished inventories, particularly as environmentally conscious consumers increasingly gravitate towards second-hand options.
Apple Stock Finds Fresh Energy
Apple derives approximately half of its total revenue from iPhone sales, making each new launch cycle a pivotal growth catalyst. While the company faces mounting competition from domestic competitors in China, such as Huawei and Xiaomi, the iPhone 17’s solid launch further fortifies its supremacy within the premium smartphone arena.
Particularly, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is experiencing substantial adoption among U.S. consumers who last updated their devices during the pandemic, further propelling Apple’s average selling price.
With hardware enhancements, trade-in incentives, and pent-up consumer demand converging, Apple’s latest product cycle has rekindled market optimism.
Investors remain vigilant to evaluate if this momentum persists into the fourth quarter, especially as global smartphone demand begins to rebound from the downturn following the pandemic.
In summary, Apple’s recent figures convey a compelling narrative: the iPhone 17 launch has rejuvenated excitement among consumers and investors alike.
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