Apple iPhones Regain No.1 Spot in China for May, Reports Counterpoint Research

Beijing — Apple reclaimed the top position in China’s smartphone market in May 2025, according to data released by Counterpoint Research. The company’s iPhone sales drove a 15% year-over-year increase in global shipments over April and May, the strongest two-month period since the COVID-19 pandemic.

iPhone Discounts Fuel Demand

The surge was primarily driven by aggressive price cuts in China, with some iPhone 16 models discounted by up to 2,530 yuan (approximately USD 350) on major e-commerce platforms. Apple’s pricing strategy helped boost volumes amid fierce competition from local brands like Huawei and Xiaomi.

“Apple’s demand rebound was most notable in China and the United States,” said Ivan Lam, Senior Analyst at Counterpoint. “There were also double-digit gains in India, Japan, and across the Middle East.”

Market Recovery Trends

China’s overall smartphone market has shown early signs of stabilization in 2025. According to the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), shipments of foreign-branded phones in April reached 3.52 million units, slightly above the 3.50 million units reported in April 2024.

Lam noted that while the results are encouraging, Apple’s momentum remains closely tied to the performance of its two biggest markets, China and the United States.

Apple Eyes Second-Half Growth

The strong showing in May could set the tone for a competitive second half of the year. Analysts say Apple is poised to benefit further from ongoing 5G adoption, continued brand loyalty in key markets, and a focus on premium device sales.

As the company prepares for its next major product cycle, Apple’s regained traction in China may prove critical to its global sales targets for 2025.