iPhone 18 Pro Global Sales Up 3.1% YoY in First Three Weeks, Led by China Market
nashnova research
iPhone 18 Pro series global sales rose 3.1% year-on-year in their first three weeks, with China's 29% surge single-handedly driving the gain — while the U.S. and Japan both declined, putting Apple's premium pricing strategy to a split-market test.
Global sales up 3.1% — how solid is that number?
Counterpoint Research data shows iPhone 18 Pro series first-three-week global sales rose 3.1% YoY, outpacing last year's iPhone 17 Pro launch.
But the figure leans heavily on China. Strip China out, and global growth narrows sharply.
This means → the headline gain is not a broad recovery — it is one market pulling the entire curve.
China surged 29% — what's behind it?
China sales jumped 29% YoY, the largest gain of any market.
Two forces at work: Apple front-loaded more inventory than last year's 17 Pro cycle, and Chinese Android flagships raised prices, nudging some buyers toward Apple.
In plain terms = Apple didn't win this round alone — rivals' price hikes helped. Consumers compared and decided the iPhone wasn't so expensive after all.
Why are the U.S. and Japan falling?
U.S. sales dropped 4% YoY. Consumers saw limited upgrades in features and design — not enough to justify a higher price tag.
Japan fell harder, down 27% YoY. A weaker yen amplified iPhone price increases, crushing local demand.
This means → in markets without Android price hikes lending a hand, Apple's premium pricing is hitting a wall.
Is the Pro Max still the dominant pick?
iPhone 18 Pro Max accounted for 56% of total Pro series sales, down slightly from 57% a year ago.
This reflects a consumer base still skewed toward the top-tier model, but with marginal willingness starting to soften.
What determines the sales trajectory from here?
The current picture is a structural split: China strong, everywhere else weak.
The key variable is singular: whether Apple's premium pricing can win over consumers outside China.
In plain terms = how long China's momentum lasts is uncertain — whether U.S. and Japanese buyers come around is the real suspense heading into Apple's next quarterly report.
市场有风险，内容仅供研究参考，不构成投资建议。