iPhone 17 Dominates Singles' Day in China—What Happened to Huawei & Xiaomi? Shocking Sales Revealed!

Strong demand for Apple’s iPhone has played a pivotal role in bolstering smartphone sales during China’s month-long Singles’ Day shopping festival, according to research firm Counterpoint. Apple accounted for an impressive 26% of all smartphones sold over the event, contributing to a 3% rise in overall sales compared to the same period last year. This highlights the brand's robust performance amid a challenging economic landscape.

The newly launched iPhone 17 series emerged as a standout performer. Apple’s strategy appears effective, keeping it ahead of competitors like Huawei and Xiaomi. However, a closer look at the figures reveals a more cautious consumer climate; when Apple is excluded, smartphone sales during the festival actually fell by 5%. Counterpoint described the market as “drained of momentum,” a sentiment reflecting broader economic concerns in China.

Consumer sentiment has been considerably dampened by ongoing issues within the property sector, coupled with worries over income security. This has made shoppers increasingly hesitant to spend freely, even during a festival known for extravagant shopping sprees.

Record Overall Sales, but Limited Excitement

The 2025 Singles’ Day festival wrapped up on November 11 after more than a month of promotions across the country’s leading e-commerce platforms. Total sales reached a staggering 1.70 trillion yuan (approximately $240 billion), up from 1.44 trillion yuan last year. Despite this record-breaking figure, the event failed to generate the widespread excitement that typically accompanies it.

Among other smartphone brands, Huawei saw the sharpest decline, with its market share dropping from 17% to 13%. The company’s recently launched flagship, the Mate 80, missed the crucial sales window during the festival. Meanwhile, Xiaomi held the second-largest share at 17%, but also experienced a decline in sales compared to the previous year, partly attributed to the earlier release of the Xiaomi 17 series.

Despite a subdued overall market, Apple’s enduring popularity during Singles’ Day underscores its strong consumer appeal, even in a restrained economic climate. Bloomberg reported that the iPhone 17 models have shown double-digit year-on-year sales growth in both the United States and China, Apple’s key market. This is particularly noteworthy as it indicates a robust demand for Apple's products despite economic headwinds.

The iPhone 17 series, which consists of four models, has encouraged many users to upgrade their devices. The latest addition, the iPhone Air, marketed as the world’s thinnest iPhone, has drawn long queues of eager customers looking to get their hands on the new handset. As we move forward, the question remains: will Apple’s success in the midst of a cautious consumer environment set a trend for other brands, or will the broader market dynamics continue to weigh heavily on overall sales?

In summary, while Apple continues to thrive during challenging times, the broader smartphone market appears mired in uncertainty, raising questions about future consumer behavior as economic concerns linger.