Singles Day, China’s major shopping festival, closed its promotional period with growth thanks to Apple’s sales. During the month-long promotional period ending on November 11th, Apple’s iPhone series accounted for 26% of all smartphone sales.
Competitors Left Behind
According to data from Counterpoint Research, excluding sales of the iPhone 17 series, Singles Day would have resulted in a 5% decline compared to the previous year. According to data firm Syntun, Singles Day in 2025 will reach a total of CNY 1.70 trillion (approximately US$240 billion) across all platforms, a significant increase from CNY 1.44 trillion in 2024.
However, waning consumer interest among Chinese consumers stemming from the housing crisis and income security concerns has threatened Singles Day sales. Xiaomi held the second-largest share of smartphone sales, at 17%. The early launch of the Xiaomi 17 series, just before the festival, played a significant role in this success.
Huawei, on the other hand, fell from 17% last year to 13% this year. The brand’s recent launch of the Mate 80 series this week, coupled with its missed promotional period, contributed to its share decline.
Apple’s strong growth with the iPhone 17 series has once again proven its strength in the Chinese market, despite increasing competition from local manufacturers and the economic slowdown.
