Apple Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) new iPhone 17 lineup is off to a strong start, outperforming its predecessor by 14% during its first 10 days on sale in the U.S. and China, according to new figures from Counterpoint Research released Monday.
The standout so far has been the base model iPhone 17, which has seen sales jump by nearly one-third compared to the iPhone 16 base version. Demand has been especially robust in China, where unit sales of the entry-level device have almost doubled versus last year’s model.
Counterpoint Senior Analyst Mengmeng Zhang explained the appeal: “The base model iPhone 17 is very compelling to consumers, offering great value for money,” adding that it delivers “a better chip, improved display, higher base storage, selfie camera upgrade – all for the same price as last year’s iPhone 16.”
In the U.S., the iPhone 17 Pro Max has taken the lead during the first two weekends, thanks in part to major carriers increasing maximum subsidies by 10% (about $100). This, according to Counterpoint, reflects a deliberate push toward higher-end customer segments.
“Carriers here are looking to maximize lifetime value by converting strong device subsidies into years of higher monthly service revenue through 24 or 36-month financing contracts,” said Senior Analyst Maurice Klaehne.
The new iPhone Air model is also off to a promising start, outperforming the iPhone 16 Plus. After speculation about its availability in China, Apple confirmed that pre-orders in the country will open on October 17.
“This is a big milestone for Apple and more broadly for eSIM,” said Senior Analyst Ivan Lam, though he cautioned that the “shorter pre-order period and high price compared to the spec-high and feature-rich base model iPhone 17 means the Air will likely remain niche initially.”
The findings are based on Counterpoint Research’s China and U.S. Q3 2025 Weekly Smartphone Sell-Out Tracker, which covers the two markets that account for the majority of iPhone sales worldwide.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.