iPhone Air Sells Out in China as Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Experiences Opposite Sales Trends

Apple’s recent strategy to slim down the iPhone Air has garnered immense popularity in the Chinese market, leading to a quick sellout across all online retailers. A report indicates that the highly-anticipated device was out of stock just hours after its pre-orders began in China, underscoring the enduring appeal of slim smartphones, especially when they are released by Apple.

Will the iPhone Air’s Early Traction Be Short-lived Amidst Competitors Like Huawei?

According to a report from the South China Morning Post, the iPhone Air experienced an instant sellout following its launch in China on Friday. This impressive achievement coincided with Apple CEO Tim Cook’s visit to the country to promote the product in this crucial smartphone market, while navigatiны ongoing geopolitical tensions between China and the U. S.

For context, pre-sales for the iPhone Air, featuring eSIM capabilities, were contingent on receiving regulatory approval to enter the Chinese market. Once the green light was received—over a month after its availability in other countries—consumers flocked to physical stores in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin, eager to purchase the device.

Currently, online shipment times have been pushed back by one to two weeks, as Apple seeks to enhance its market share against local competitors such as Xiaomi and Huawei. Although the iPhone Air has made an impressive start, its initial demand seems to resonate similarly to previous smartphone launches in China. The critical factor will be whether this enthusiasm remains stable over the coming months, especially with Huawei’s Mate 80 launch planned for next month.

Apple’s iPhone 17 models are also making waves in China, showing notable momentum upon their release. The base model, equipped with a ProMotion display, was a key reason for overwhelming traffic that temporarily crashed Apple’s official website as eager buyers scrambled to secure their units.

Moreover, during the pre-order phase for the iPhone 17 series, one online marketplace reported an astonishing 5 million reservations, with JD.com, a leading online retailer in China, alone garnering 3.7 million reservations. This is in stark contrast to earlier this year when Apple had to resort to significant discounts on the iPhone 16 series to stimulate sales; the iPhone 17 lineup and the iPhone Air appear to be driving themselves off the shelves.

In contrast, Samsung’s recent decision to cancel the Galaxy S26 Edge due to disappointing sales of the Galaxy S25 Edge emphasizes the brand’s ongoing struggles to compete with Apple’s dominance in the smartphone market. If you have insights into why the iPhone Air is thriving while the Galaxy S25 Edge is faltering, we invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below and participate in our poll.

News Source: South China Morning Post

Source & Images