iPhone 18 Pro Series Opens With 3.1% Global Uptick as China Carries Growth

Early sales for Apple's iPhone 18 Pro series show a 3.1% year-over-year rise worldwide during the first three weeks after launch, according to Counterpoint Research. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max saw most of that increase come from China, while mature markets posted weaker demand, making the global figure less representative of synchronized growth.

Regional pattern behind the global increase

Counterpoint Research data indicates the Chinese market grew 29% over the same first-three-week window, lifting the overall total. The U.S. market declined 4%, and the Japan market fell 27%. India showed a more positive direction, though no precise India growth rate was released by the research firm.

As a result, the iPhone 18 Pro line is not growing evenly across its major markets. It remains above its predecessor in aggregate, but the modest 3.1% global gain is concentrated in China rather than spread broadly through mature regions.

Two factors cited for China's lift

According to the same analysis, two factors supported China's early performance. First, supply availability during this year's initial launch stage was better than for the previous generation, allowing more customers to buy during the opening period.