Apple wins again in China.

Apple's iPhone 17 Pro lineup. Photo: Bloomberg .

According to market research firm Counterpoint Research , Apple's iPhone was the only smartphone brand to record sales growth in China in January compared to the same period last year.

iPhone sales in January increased by 8% compared to January 2025. For comparison, other major Chinese smartphone manufacturers all recorded sales declines, including Huawei (27%), Oppo (19%), Vivo (29%), Xiaomi (36%), and Honor (26%).

Overall, total smartphone sales in China in January were 23% lower than the same period last year. Researchers say the main reasons are government subsidies and changes in the timing of the Lunar New Year.

Last year, China's subsidy program was launched on January 20, 2025, coinciding with the Lunar New Year. This created high demand for smartphones, with Apple being less affected as most iPhones did not qualify for the subsidy. This year, the impact comes from weaker consumer demand amid a sluggish economy .

Despite the challenges, the iPhone 17 series helped Apple grow. The company's market share in China reached 19% in January, sharing the top spot with Huawei.

The report indicates that sales of the Huawei Nova series were lower than last year, while Huawei's best-selling model in January was the standard Mate 80. The company maintained stable sales by boosting its trade-in program and increasing subsidies.

According to Bloomberg , the success of the iPhone 17 will help Apple achieve strong growth in China starting in September 2025. Last year's holiday season in the country of over a billion people boosted Apple's sales, contributing to a record-breaking quarter for the iPhone line.

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Market share and sales growth of major smartphone brands in China in January. Image: Counterpoint Research .

In comparison, other competitors in China are struggling due to "gloomy consumer sentiment," according to a report from Counterpoint Research . Last year, these companies saw strong sales growth thanks to government subsidies for affordable smartphones.

"Apple is the only major brand to achieve positive growth compared to the same period last year, and its market share in China in January this year was also the highest in the past five years."

"The standard version of the iPhone 17 is now eligible for government subsidies, making it feel more worthwhile to consumers, and sales increased 9% compared to the previous month," analysts from Counterpoint Research noted.

To date, there haven't been many discounts or price reductions for the iPhone 17 series in China. This gives Apple the opportunity to continue adjusting prices, optimizing profits. Competitors haven't yet entered their peak promotional period. Analysts predict that the Lunar New Year in February will be the peak shopping season.