BEIJING (Reuters) — Sales of Apple‘s (AAPL) ​iPhones in China rose 22% ‌from year-earlier levels in the first month after the ‌iPhone 17 series launched, even as the broader market softened, a private survey showed on Friday.

The new lineup drove most of ⁠Apple’s smartphone ‌sales in China in the period from the September 19 launch, ‍with the 17 series accounting for nearly four-fifths of units sold to consumers, according to ​the data from research firm Counterpoint.

BEIJING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 8: Customers try out iPhone 17 Pro smartphones inside the Apple Store at Sanlitun Taikoo Li on November 8, 2025, in Beijing, China. The latest flagship device from the U.S. technology company is displayed in multiple colors, drawing interest from shoppers at the brand's flagship retail location in the Chinese capital. (Photo by Cheng Xin/Getty Images) Customers try out iPhone 17 Pro smartphones in Beijing. (Cheng Xin/Getty Images) · Cheng Xin via Getty Images

Sales of ‌iPhones in China were down 5% during the first month after the iPhone 16 line launched in September 2024.

The iPhone 17 launch drew hundreds of people to Apple’s Beijing ⁠flagship on release day -​ a sign of continued ​enthusiasm for the brand, despite intensifying competition from Xiaomi (1810.HK, XIACF) and Huawei.

China’s ‍smartphone market ⁠remained weak amid subdued consumer demand, with third‑quarter sales down 2.7%⁠ year on year, Counterpoint said.

(Reporting ‌by Che Pan and Brenda Goh; ‌Editing by William Mallard)