Apple’s new iPhone 17 outsells previous generation by 14% in US, China

Counterpoint Research analysts attribute the boost to an improved display, more storage and Apple’s upgraded A19 chip

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A man shows boxes with newly bought iPhone 17 handsets inside the Apple Store in Beijing’s Sanlitun area. Photo: Reuters

Published: 2:15pm, 20 Oct 2025

Apple’s latest generation of iPhones is off to a faster start than usual, with its most basic model surging in popularity in the US and China.

The iPhone 17 series outsold the iPhone 16 range by 14 per cent over their respective first 10 days on sale in the US and China, according to Counterpoint Research.

The data, giving the first quantified indication of consumer response in Apple’s top two markets, shows the standard iPhone 17 is in much higher demand than the corresponding US$799 model last year.

Counterpoint’s analysts attribute the boost to an improved display, more storage and Apple’s upgraded A19 chip.

“Consumers are resonating with the base model iPhone 17 on improved specs and upgrades,” senior analyst Ivan Lam said. “In China, sales are almost double those of the base iPhone 16 over the initial availability period – and the momentum continues to be good into October.”

A woman uses her smartphone inside the Apple Store in Beijing’s Sanlitun area, as the new iPhone 17 series handsets go on sale on September 19, 2025. Photo: Reuters

At the other end of Apple’s line-up, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is also seeing strong demand, particularly in the US.

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