Apple iPhone 17 series breaks iPhone 16 series' China records in first minute
Apple 's iPhone 17 series has broken pre-order records in China within the first minute of availability, surpassing last year's iPhone 16 launch despite the absence of the highly anticipated iPhone Air model due to regulatory hurdles.
Pre-orders on JD.com, one of China's largest e-commerce platforms, exceeded the entire first-day volume of the iPhone 16 series within just 60 seconds of going live at 8pm Friday local time, according to the South China Morning Post. The standard iPhone 17 with 256GB storage emerged as the most popular variant among Chinese consumers.
The overwhelming demand created technical difficulties, with customers reporting website crashes and payment processing delays of up to five minutes on Apple's official site. All in-person pickup slots for the iPhone 17 Pro Max at Shanghai Apple Stores were completely booked within 20 minutes, while customers in Guangzhou now face delivery delays extending to October 15.
Strong brand loyalty for Apple defies local competition
The record-breaking performance demonstrates Apple's enduring brand strength in China despite intensifying competition from domestic rivals like Huawei Technologies and Xiaomi. Just days before Apple's Tuesday launch event, Huawei unveiled its second-generation trifold smartphone, while Xiaomi accelerated its Xiaomi 16 launch from October to late September.
"Apple has astutely segmented its product line-up, ensuring each model appeals to distinct user needs," said Nabila Popal, senior research director at IDC, as reported by the South China Morning Post. "Collectively, these devices will drive a robust wave of new purchases for the company."
However, the success comes with a caveat. Apple postponed iPhone Air pre-orders in China due to regulatory approval issues surrounding its eSIM-only design. The ultra-thin model requires clearance from Chinese authorities, with all three state-owned telecom operators—China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom—ready to provide eSIM support pending regulatory approval.
TrendForce projects global iPhone 17 shipments will exceed the iPhone 16 series by 3.5 percent, with the Pro models expected to remain primary sales drivers.
Pre-orders on JD.com, one of China's largest e-commerce platforms, exceeded the entire first-day volume of the iPhone 16 series within just 60 seconds of going live at 8pm Friday local time, according to the South China Morning Post. The standard iPhone 17 with 256GB storage emerged as the most popular variant among Chinese consumers.
The overwhelming demand created technical difficulties, with customers reporting website crashes and payment processing delays of up to five minutes on Apple's official site. All in-person pickup slots for the iPhone 17 Pro Max at Shanghai Apple Stores were completely booked within 20 minutes, while customers in Guangzhou now face delivery delays extending to October 15.
Strong brand loyalty for Apple defies local competition
The record-breaking performance demonstrates Apple's enduring brand strength in China despite intensifying competition from domestic rivals like Huawei Technologies and Xiaomi. Just days before Apple's Tuesday launch event, Huawei unveiled its second-generation trifold smartphone, while Xiaomi accelerated its Xiaomi 16 launch from October to late September.
"Apple has astutely segmented its product line-up, ensuring each model appeals to distinct user needs," said Nabila Popal, senior research director at IDC, as reported by the South China Morning Post. "Collectively, these devices will drive a robust wave of new purchases for the company."
However, the success comes with a caveat. Apple postponed iPhone Air pre-orders in China due to regulatory approval issues surrounding its eSIM-only design. The ultra-thin model requires clearance from Chinese authorities, with all three state-owned telecom operators—China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom—ready to provide eSIM support pending regulatory approval.
TrendForce projects global iPhone 17 shipments will exceed the iPhone 16 series by 3.5 percent, with the Pro models expected to remain primary sales drivers.
Next Story