Apple CEO Tim Cook confirms iPhone sales surged in China during Q3 2025, with a record number of upgraders and 4% regional growth, fueled by government-backed subsidies and new user adoption.
Apple Saw 4% Revenue Increase In Greater China After Record Number of Users Upgraded to New iPhones with Sales Slump Recovering
The recovery follows months of declining shipments in the region, but Apple’s participation in government-backed subsidies appears to have turned the tide. During Apple’s Q3 2025 earnings call, Cook highlighted that more people upgraded their iPhones in China than in any previous June quarter.
“We saw a record number of upgraders in mainland China,” said Cook. “iPhone had the top three models in urban China.”
Additionally, Apple’s installed base in China reached an all-time high, reinforcing the company’s strong foothold in a market often challenged by local competitors like Huawei and Xiaomi.
Strong Demand Across Apple’s Product Lineup
It wasn’t just the iPhone seeing gains. Cook said Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch also saw high demand, with many purchases coming from first-time Apple customers.
“The MacBook Air was the best-selling laptop in all of China, and the Mac Mini topped desktop sales,” Cook added.
Apple CFO Kevan Parekh echoed these comments, noting that iPhone was a top-selling device not just in China, but also in the U.S., UK, Japan, Australia, and other regions.
Related: Apple Has Now Shipped 3 Billion iPhones Since 2007, Tim Cook Confirms
What’s Driving Growth in China?
Key contributors to Apple’s China rebound in Q3 2025:
- Government-backed iPhone subsidies
- Increased demand for upgrades
- First-time buyers for Mac and iPad
- Sustained popularity of flagship iPhones in urban China
- Apple’s growing ecosystem and loyalty base
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