Sales Trends in the Smartphone Market
The deceleration in sales is notably pronounced in the United States and Japan, where figures have declined in comparison to the previous year’s iPhone 17 Pro series.
In contrast, China and India exhibit more robust performance, enabling Apple to sustain overall growth. However, amidst this backdrop, India’s general smartphone sector is grappling with a particularly challenging festive season.
The prevalence of high-priced devices and a dearth of enticing discounts are causing consumers to reconsider their upgrade decisions. A new iPhone may exude allure, yet financial considerations often dictate a more prudent approach.
Incremental Growth in iPhone 18 Pro Sales, Marred by Challenges
According to Counterpoint Research’s Smartphone Weekly Sales Tracker, global sales figures for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max have seen a 3.1 percent uptick when juxtaposed with their predecessors, during the initial three weeks post-launch.
A significant portion of this growth can be attributed to China, which logged a 29 percent increase year-on-year.
Factors such as enhanced availability and the elevated pricing of competing Android flagship devices have contributed positively to Apple’s market performance.
Conversely, in the United States, consumers appear ambivalent regarding the perceived enhancements of the latest models vis-à-vis the justification for upgrading.
Japan is encountering a parallel slowdown, exacerbated by currency fluctuations that render the new iPhones costlier.
India and Southeast Asia have witnessed growth, notably with consumers demonstrating heightened interest in the more compact Pro model.
India’s Smartphone Market Faces Festive Season Challenges
The current circumstances are particularly noteworthy, as India’s smartphone sector is experiencing one of its most lackluster festive seasons in recent memory.
Counterpoint anticipates that smartphone sales volumes in India may plummet by approximately 12 percent during the 2026 festive season.
Escalating memory chip costs, exorbitant price tags on devices, and restricted promotional activities are contributing to a climate of buyer hesitance.
Devices from previous iPhone generations, which typically lure consumers during festive sales, have seen escalating prices. For instance, Apple has officially marked the iPhone 17’s price at ₹99,900 in India.
This evolution alters the calculus for those hoping to snag last year’s flagship at a discounted rate.
Insights from Counterpoint on Apple’s Sales Performance
According to Tarun Pathak, Director at Counterpoint Research, “The reception to the iPhone 18 Pro series has varied considerably by region.”
The research entity is actively tracking whether demand remains resilient following the initial surge post-launch.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max constituted 56 percent of Pro-series sales globally, a slight decrease from the 57 percent recorded the previous year.
Moreover, Counterpoint has highlighted robust initial demand for the newly unveiled iPhone Duo, with pre-orders surpassing available stock.
Source link: News9live.com.
