According to the South China Morning Post, the iPhone 17 is creating a frenzy in the Chinese market with remarkably impressive pre-order sales. On JD.com, the country’s leading online retailer, the first-hour pre-orders for the iPhone 17 surpassed the entire first-day sales of the iPhone 16 last year. The standard model’s allure stems from its array of high-value upgrades at an unchanged price, while the new iPhone Air faces legal hurdles due to eSIM issues.
The iPhone 17 boasts pre-order volumes 10 times higher than its predecessor, the iPhone 16.
The most sought-after variant is the standard iPhone 17 with 256 GB of storage. Its appeal lies in Apple’s introduction of several “worth-every-penny” upgrades while maintaining the $799 price tag from the previous year.
Specifically, compared to the iPhone 16, the standard iPhone 17 features a larger 6.3-inch display, a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, and an Always-On Display. The selfie camera has been significantly enhanced, the rear ultra-wide lens now boasts a 48MP resolution, and the base storage has doubled to 256 GB.
Numerous value-packed upgrades—screen, battery, camera, storage—at a competitive price are why the iPhone 17 is selling out fast.
While the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro have had a strong start, the new iPhone Air faces significant delays. Its launch in China has been postponed indefinitely as Apple awaits regulatory approval related to eSIM technology.
Additionally, Pinduoduo, another major e-commerce platform in China, has launched a 10 billion yuan subsidy program, significantly reducing prices for Apple’s new products. The iPhone 17 series has seen a direct price cut of 1,000 yuan, with the iPhone 17 now priced at 4,999 yuan (approximately $690). This incredibly low price for a highly sought-after device like the iPhone underscores its current status as the hottest smartphone in the world’s largest market.
Furthermore, additional promotions from retailers and e-commerce platforms make this device even more affordable.
The impressive sales in China are welcome news for investors, who had previously expressed concerns about Apple’s market share being eroded by domestic brands. The situation in the U.S. market is also promising, with Apple’s website indicating 2-3 week delivery times for certain iPhone 17 and 17 Pro models, signaling strong demand.
Apple is set to report preliminary financial figures during its investor meeting in October. However, this report will only cover the first few weeks of sales. A comprehensive view of the iPhone 17’s demand will emerge in the holiday quarter’s financial report later this year.
iPhone 17 Now Available for Pre-Order in Vietnam
Starting at 7 PM on September 12th, Apple’s website and numerous domestic retailers will begin pre-orders for all four versions of the iPhone 17.
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The All-New iPhone Air: Sleek, Slim, and Now Available in Vietnam from 32 Million VND.
Apple has done it again with what is believed to be their thinnest iPhone yet. The highly anticipated device will be released in three storage options, available from the 19th of September.
