iPhone 17 Reservations in China Surpass 5 Million from a Single Online Retailer

Apple has faced significant challenges in the Chinese market, resulting in the company frequently offering discounts on various products, including its flagship iPhones, in order to stimulate sales. However, recent trends suggest a turnaround, particularly with the iPhone 17, which has generated substantial interest among consumers. Many users believe that the latest model boasts essential design enhancements, features, and upgrades, presenting a very alluring upgrade opportunity. Remarkably, a tipster has indicated that one e-commerce platform in China has reported an astonishing 5 million reservations for the new iPhone models, signaling a fierce competitive atmosphere for local brands such as Huawei in the coming weeks.

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The starting price of the iPhone 17 series in China is set at 5, 999 yuan (approximately $841), slightly exceeding the $799 base price in the United States. However, this premium seems justified when considering enhancements like a bump in base storage to 256GB and the addition of a ProMotion display. This display technology, which supports refresh rates between 1Hz and 120Hz, is particularly appealing as it optimizes battery life. Consequently, the iPhone 17 offers an exceptional “price to performance”ratio that is likely to appeal to Chinese consumers as they look for reliable daily devices.

The tipster, previously known as Ice Universe and now going by PhoneArt, expects to share further insights from other online retailers soon. Notably, the tipster’s commentary included a bold prediction regarding the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, suggesting it may struggle to compete with the iPhone 17 even before its launch. As a longstanding rival to Apple in the smartphone domain, Samsung faces significant hurdles in trying to surpass the latest innovations from its competitor. The previous slowdown in iPhone sales was primarily attributed to the resurgence of brands like Huawei and the stronghold of local players, including Xiaomi. This market dynamic has prompted Apple to re-evaluate its product strategies to ensure its new offerings resonate on a global scale.

The iPhone 17 series has just been released, and the number of reservations on one of the e-commerce platforms in China is amazing, with more than 5 million people making reservations. I’m not a pessimist, but this time, I think iPhone 17 basically announced the premature death… pic.twitter.com/Axzoz6IfGa

— PhoneArt (@UniverseIce) September 11, 2025

It is important for readers to keep in mind that the 5 million reservations do not automatically translate to direct sales for the online retailer; however, this figure does indicate that Apple’s iPhone 17 launch has struck a chord with consumers. The true measure of its success will unfold over the coming months as the new models are put to the test in the market, so interested parties should stay tuned for further updates.

News Source: PhoneArt

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