With preorders for the new models smashing sales records in the typically volatile market, the iPhone 17 launch in China is a huge success.
Although China is a significant market for Apple, the company has struggled to hold onto it over the years. With the launch of its most recent iPhone lineup, Apple appears to have successfully rekindled demand in the domestic market.
According to SCMP, preorders for the iPhone 17 line shattered sales records in China. Sales through the popular retailer JD.com surpassed the first-day preorder volume for the iPhone 16 series within a minute of the preorders opening in China.
According to the retailer, the most popular configuration was the iPhone 17 with 256GB of storage.
Customers reportedly found it difficult to place preorders on Apple's own website due to the high demand. In one case, processing a single customer's payment took five minutes.
Within 20 minutes, every time slot for in-store pickups of the iPhone 17 Pro Max from Shanghai Apple Stores was also fully reserved. Additionally, as of Saturday, Guangzhou residents who wanted an iPhone 17 model would have to wait until October 15.
Apple has received a lot of praise from analysts for the sales. Nabila Popal, senior research director at IDC, claims that Apple has successfully divided up its product lineup so that each model caters to particular user needs, resulting in a new wave of sales.
Absence of Air
Although China's high preorder sales are impressive, they are achieved in a more difficult-than-normal environment. Instead of the customary four models, Apple is only shipping three flagships to China.
Due to what appears to be a delay in obtaining regulatory approval, the iPhone Air is not yet available for preorder in China.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology must authorize its sale as Apple's first eSIM-only model to be released globally. However, an approval has not yet materialized, even though they are reportedly working with the regulator.
The majority of customers will be able to use that model, even though there is a wait before Apple opens preorders for it. The eSIM-only iPhone Air is supported by all three state-owned carriers, but only "subject to regulatory approval."
Apple's strong preorder numbers in China are encouraging for the business. It is excellent work to accomplish this while still awaiting approval for the sale of the highlighted new model.