Apple Inc. recorded its strongest quarterly growth in device sales during the first quarter of 2026 [1].
This surge in performance indicates a recovery in consumer confidence and a successful rollout of the company's latest hardware. The growth is particularly significant given the volatility of global smartphone markets over the last few years.
Following the report of these sales figures, Apple stock rose 3.6% in early trading [1]. The company said the growth was due to strong consumer demand for its smart devices and the market introduction of the iPhone 17 [1, 2].
Data from the third quarter of 2025 shows that iPhone 17 shipments in China grew 0.6% year-on-year [2]. While this represents a modest increase, it signals a positive trend for Apple in one of its most critical and competitive global markets.
This recovery follows a period of broader decline in the region. For context, overall smartphone sales in China fell 13% in 2022 [3]. The recent growth in iPhone 17 shipments suggests that Apple is successfully capturing market share even as the wider industry faced previous downturns.
Company executives said the current success is linked to the specific appeal of the iPhone 17 and a general increase in consumer confidence in Apple products [1, 2]. The growth in China is seen as a key pillar of the company's global strategy to maintain its dominance in the premium device segment.
“Apple Inc. recorded its strongest quarterly growth in device sales during the first quarter of 2026.”
Apple's ability to grow shipments in China, even by a small margin, suggests the brand is weathering regional economic headwinds better than the general smartphone market. By decoupling its growth from the 13% industry decline seen in 2022, Apple is demonstrating that its ecosystem and the specific appeal of the iPhone 17 are sufficient to drive demand in a saturated market.
