Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) shares surged Thursday after new data revealed iPhone shipments to China jumped a staggering 20% year-over-year in Q1 2026, defying severe supply chain disruptions and intense local competition. The shock growth, which coincided with a 35% plunge for rival Xiaomi, signals Apple's resilient pricing power and operational mastery amid escalating memory costs and Middle East conflict-driven tariffs, with parallel 9% gains in India further cementing its global dominance.

What Next For Apple Stock? (AAPL)

The durability of the iPhones is what’s making shipments to China and India rise. Also, competitors are raising prices, but the demand to procure the phones is softening. Analysis firm Knockout Stocks has given Apple a ‘strong buy’ rating at the $250 to $260 level. The iPhone maker saw a rebound in value in April after having a lackluster Q1 performance.

The leading analytic firm has given a price target of $325 for AAPL. That’s an uptick and return on investment (ROI) of approximately 23.5% from its current price of $263. Therefore, an investment of $1,000 could turn into $1,235 if the price prediction turns out to be accurate. The overall consensus for Apple stock remains bullish with a ‘strong buy’ score of 82 out of 100.