iPhone 17 sales outpace iPhone 16 by 14% driven by strong base model demand

Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup is off to a strong start, outselling last year’s iPhone 16 series by 14% in its first 10 days of availability across China and the United States, the two largest iPhone markets globally, according to new data from Counterpoint Research.

The standout performer this year isn’t the Pro Max or the new Air, but the standard iPhone 17, which has seen its sales nearly double year-on-year in China. Counterpoint credits this to the device’s improved value proposition thanks to a better chip, upgraded selfie camera, brighter display with 120Hz refresh rate, and higher base storage all while keeping the same launch price as its predecessor.

“Buying this device is a no-brainer,” said Senior Analyst Mengmeng Zhang. “It provides extremely good value-for-money, and Chinese consumers are rewarding Apple for that.” The early success of the base model also suggests that Apple’s pricing and feature balance strategy for its non-Pro variants is paying off, especially in cost-sensitive but brand-loyal markets like China.

Meanwhile, in the US, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has seen the strongest early demand. Counterpoint attributes this to a 10% bump in carrier subsidies (around $100) by major operators, who are pushing longer-term financing deals to lock in high-value customers.

“The emphasis on Pro Max offers has made the ultra-premium Apple device more accessible,” explained Senior Analyst Maurice Klaehne. “Carriers are betting on higher lifetime value through 24- or 36-month contracts.”

Also in the lineup is the iPhone Air, an eSIM-only model that’s showing better early traction than the iPhone 16 Plus that it replaced. The device is expected to launch in China at the end of October, marking Apple’s first real push for eSIM adoption in the region. However, with its higher price and relatively shorter pre-order window, analysts expect the Air to remain a niche option compared to the more affordable and feature-rich base iPhone 17.

“This is a big milestone for Apple and for eSIM adoption globally,” said Senior Analyst Ivan Lam, “but the Air’s positioning means it’ll likely appeal to a narrower audience at first.”

With both strong base-model momentum in China and Pro Max upgrades driving US sales, Apple appears to have struck a winning balance between value and premium appeal, setting the stage for one of its best iPhone cycles in recent years.