Apple has once again dominated the Chinese smartphone market. According to the latest data from research firm Counterpoint Research, iPhone sales in China ranked first in May 2025. Globally, Apple recorded a 15% year-on-year growth in April and May, driven largely by strong performance in its two biggest markets—China and the US.
The major reason behind this sudden sales boom in China? Massive price cuts and national subsidies. Apple slashed the prices of its iPhone 16 series significantly on Chinese e-commerce platforms. In May, discounts reached up to ¥2,530 ($351) on the latest iPhones.
The biggest highlight was the iPhone 16 Pro 128GB variant. Its price dropped to just ¥5,499 ($758), a massive 31% cut from the original launch price of ¥7,999. This marks the first time in Apple’s history that a Pro model entered the ¥5,000 price bracket, causing a buying frenzy and stock shortages across platforms.
According to the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), foreign smartphone shipments in China rose to 3.52 million units in April—up from 3.5 million last year. Apple led this surge, even as competition from domestic brands like Huawei and Xiaomi continues to intensify. To stay ahead, Apple had no choice but to make aggressive pricing moves.
This price drop sparked huge discussions on Chinese social media. Many users debated: “Should you go for performance or memory?” One user commented, “Even if the 128GB 16 Pro is subsidized, it’s still great. And if you need more space, just upgrade to 512GB or 1TB later. It’s a solid deal.”
