Tech Desk 
Sep 14, 2025
Apple’s iPhone 17 launch is off to a strong start in China, with demand looking solid in terms of its preorders. Reportedly, sales on JD.com, a Chinese e-commerce company, surpassed first-day preorders of last year’s iPhone 16 within the first hour.
It is reported that the base model iPhone 17, with 256 GB storage, is the most popular choice for buyers. Apple is still moving forward with the development of an iPhone Air but has indefinitely delayed its launch in the country as it continues to seek eSIM regulatory approvals at the local level.
Apple’s success this year with the iPhone 17 appears tied to value. Apple added several significant upgrades while leaving the price the same at $799.
There’s a larger 6.3-inch display with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate and an always-on display, which is an upgrade that was only available on Pro.
Apple upgraded the front selfie camera, and the ultra-wide rear camera has a new 48MP sensor. Apple also doubled the base storage from 128GB to 256GB, which gives consumers more value for the price.
Analysts also believe strong preorders of the iPhone 17 will help reassure investors worried about Apple’s performance in the Chinese market, particularly with increased competition from local smartphone brands.
In the US, the Apple Online Store is already quoting delivery times of two to three weeks for certain iPhone 17 configurations, suggesting demand is high globally. The iPhone 17 Pro is also seeing healthy orders.
Apple will officially share its quarterly earnings in October, which will include only a few weeks of iPhone 17 sales. The company’s full performance will be clearer in the holiday quarter, which is typically its biggest sales period of the year.
