Despite a general decline in China's smartphone market, iPhone sales have seen a significant increase. According to data from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), shipments of non-Chinese smartphones, including the iPhone, rose 66% from May to June 2026. This surge saw 3.28 million foreign-branded smartphones shipped in China during June.

This trend marks a notable turnaround for Apple in a market that had previously seen a steady decline in iPhone sales. The overall Chinese smartphone market, however, was down 15.3% compared to June 2025, with Chinese-made smartphones accounting for 19.15 million units in June 2026. The resurgence of foreign models, particularly the iPhone, follows a pattern seen in Apple's record-breaking March 2026 quarter, where iPhone sales in China reached $20.5 billion.

This recovery is attributed partly to the performance of the iPhone 17 and the anticipated launch of Apple Intelligence in China. Overall Apple sales in the country reportedly grew 38% year over year, contributing to Apple reclaiming its position as the world's most valuable company with a $5 trillion market cap.