Apple’s iPhone Shipments in China Jump 8% – Here’s How Discounts and Trade-Ins Fueled the Surge

• Why Did Apple’s iPhone Sales in China Suddenly Spike?
• How Did the 618 Shopping Festival Give Apple a Lift?
• Trade-Ins: Apple’s Secret Weapon or a Stopgap?
• What’s Dragging Apple’s Stock—and Can China Save It?
• The Bottom Line: Can Apple Keep the Momentum?
• FAQs

Apple’s iPhone shipments in China rebounded with an 8% year-over-year increase in Q2 2025, driven by aggressive promotions and trade-in boosts. While Huawei snagged the top market share, Apple’s savvy pricing during the 618 Shopping Festival helped it claw back momentum. But with geopolitical risks and local competition heating up, can Cupertino sustain this growth? Let’s dive into the numbers, the deals, and the drama. ---

Why Did Apple’s iPhone Sales in China Suddenly Spike?

After months of sluggish performance, Apple’s iPhone shipments in China grew ~8% YoY for the quarter ending June 30, 2025, per Counterpoint Research. The rebound? A well-timed blitz of discounts. During May, e-commerce platforms like Alibaba’s Tmall slashed prices on iPhone 16 models—one listing dropped to 5,299 yuan ($740), a whopping 230 bucks below Apple’s official 6,999 yuan tag. Combine that with Apple’s quiet upgrade to trade-in values for older models, and suddenly, even users clinging to their iPhone Xs had a reason to switch. "Apple’s May pricing cuts landed just before the 618 Shopping Festival, perfect timing to ride the hype," noted Ethan Qi of Counterpoint. The result? A textbook case of demand elasticity.

How Did the 618 Shopping Festival Give Apple a Lift?

China’s 618 Festival (think Black Friday meets Singles’ Day) is a retail bloodbath where discounts reign supreme. Apple played the game smartly: select iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches under 6,000 yuan got subsidies up to 500 yuan ($70), while MacBooks scored up to 2,000 yuan ($280) off. On Tmall, the iPhone 16’s flash sale became a headline grabber. "For a brand that rarely budges on pricing, these moves were *chef’s kiss*," quipped a BTCC analyst. But let’s not pop champagne yet—Huawei still outsold Apple, with its Q2 sales up 12% YoY.

Trade-Ins: Apple’s Secret Weapon or a Stopgap?

Apple’s boosted trade-in credits—though seemingly minor—nudged fence-sitters to upgrade. Imagine swapping your 5-year-old iPhone for a shiny 16 and getting extra yuan tossed in. "It’s psychological," said Ivan Lam of Counterpoint. "Huawei users are loyal, but Apple’s trade-ins made upgrades irresistible." Still, this isn’t a long-term fix. With Huawei’s homegrown chips and nationalist appeal ("Big Brother is back!"), Apple’s trade-in magic might need reinforcements.

What’s Dragging Apple’s Stock—and Can China Save It?

Apple’s shares dipped ~15% YTD amid supply snags, macroeconomic jitters, and Huawei’s resurgence. China accounts for over 20% of global iPhone revenue, so any rebound there is a relief. But geopolitics loom large: U.S. tariff threats and calls for onshore iPhone production add uncertainty. Meanwhile, Huawei’s sanctions-defying Kirin chips helped it snatch Q2’s top market share, leaving Apple in third. "Innovation, not just discounts, will decide this fight," warned a TradingView analyst.

The Bottom Line: Can Apple Keep the Momentum?

Apple’s China rebound is a start, but discounts alone won’t cut it. Deeper local partnerships (WeChat integrations, anyone?), stronger trade-ins, and—critically—fresh hardware innovations are needed. As one analyst put it: "In China, you’re either sprinting or sinking. Right now, Apple’s jogging."

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FAQs

What drove Apple’s 8% iPhone sales growth in China?

Aggressive discounts during the 618 Shopping Festival and higher trade-in values for older models.

How did Huawei perform compared to Apple?

Huawei led China’s Q2 market with 12% YoY sales growth, while Apple ranked third.

What risks does Apple face in China?

Geopolitical tensions, Huawei’s resurgence, and reliance on seasonal discounts over organic demand.