Apple achieved a remarkable 23% year-over-year increase in iPhone sales in China during the first nine weeks of 2026, dramatically outperforming a broader market that declined by 4%, according to Counterpoint Research. This exceptional performance comes as Chinese smartphone sales overall fell amid weak demand and rising component costs.

Counterpoint attributed Apple's success to strategic factors including e-commerce discounts and the inclusion of the standard iPhone 17 in government subsidy programs designed to stimulate consumer electronics purchases. Meanwhile, Android competitors faced mounting pressure as memory component costs increased, forcing Chinese manufacturers OPPO and vivo to announce price hikes on existing models set to take effect this month.

Apple's ability to maintain pricing stability while absorbing margin pressure from higher component costs highlights its supply chain advantages over rivals. The company's control over its supply chain positions it better than competitors to withstand rising memory prices, which Counterpoint expects to persist throughout 2026. The research firm anticipates continued pressure on China's smartphone market in the coming months, with potential improvement during the June "618" shopping festival.