Hundreds of eager fans queued up at Apple’s flagship store in Beijing on Friday for the iPhone 17 launch day in China, the world’s second-largest economy.
Around 300 people arrived early at the downtown Sanlitun store to pick up online orders. It starts at 9,999 yuan ($1,406) in China. Analysts tip it as the series’ top seller. The orange colour looks good, but it’s too flashy. The Air Model is nice too, but the Pro Max gives longer battery life.”
Apple loaded the iPhone 17 with upgrades that appeal to users. The base model features a brighter, more scratch-resistant screen. It also includes a sharper front camera. This improves horizontal selfies for clearer shots.
The Pro Max shines with a full redesign. That could spark upgrades among Chinese buyers, who often swap for fresh styles. The iPhone Air brings a slim profile. It’s the only model in China set for e-SIM support from carriers. But pre-sales aren’t live yet. Apple says e-SIM from China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom awaits regulatory approval.
Hundreds of people lined up at Apple’s flagship store in Beijing on the launch day of the iPhone 17 in a sign that sales of the series are off to a promising start in the world's second largest economy.
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— Reuters Business (@ReutersBiz) September 19, 2025IDC analyst Will Wong views the Air as a stepping stone. “It may serve as a testbed for thin-and-light technology that could later be applied to a foldable iPhone.” Yet Wong cautions it might not drive big sales. Apple sacrificed battery life, camera, and audio quality for the sleek build—priorities for Chinese consumers.
Apple’s China Struggles and iPhone 17 Outlook
Rivals like Xiaomi and Huawei ramp up pressure. They offer competitive models at lower prices. Weak demand has hurt Apple, too. Counterpoint Research data shows a 6% drop in Apple’s China shipments in Q3’s first eight weeks. The iPhone 17 series may deliver a vital year-end lift. Omdia senior analyst Chiew Le Xuan forecasts an 11% year-over-year rise in iPhone shipments for China’s second half. This could yield 5% full-year growth for Apple in 2025.
Chiew highlights the Pro Max: “It is expected to outperform the 16 Pro Max, driven by a major redesign, a factor that has historically spurred replacement demand in China.” She adds, “It is likely to become Apple’s top-performing model in the Chinese market in 2026.” These projections hinge on the redesign’s appeal and steady demand recovery.
