Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone 17 officially launched globally on September 19th, 2025, with eager customers lining up at Apple stores worldwide. From Beijing to Singapore, the scenes were similar: long queues of enthusiastic buyers eager to get their hands on the latest technology. In Beijing, one customer, Liu, had waited since 11 pm the previous night to secure his iPhone 17 Pro Max, drawn to its new color and improved heat dissipation. Another, Yang, a former Xiaomi user, cited the superior operating system as his reason for switching. Both expressed their belief that many Chinese consumers would be purchasing their first iPhones this year, attracted by features like increased internal storage.
This positive initial response in China is particularly significant given Apple’s recent decline in market share in the region. Facing stiff competition from local brands like Huawei and Xiaomi, Apple currently holds only 10% of the Chinese smartphone market. However, early sales data from JD.com, a major Chinese e-commerce platform, suggests a strong start for the iPhone 17 series, with first-minute preorders exceeding those of last year’s iPhone 16.
The enthusiasm wasn’t limited to China. In Singapore, similar scenes unfolded, with long lines at Apple stores across the city. Iman Isa and Daniel Muhamed Nuv, two young professionals, highlighted the new designs, improved battery life, and enhanced camera as key factors in their decision to upgrade. The strong preorder numbers and positive customer feedback suggest a successful global launch for the iPhone 17 series. Omdia research manager Le Xuan Chiew noted that the base model iPhone 17 has exceeded expectations, due in part to maintaining the previous model’s pricing despite upgraded memory.
Beyond the immediate success of the iPhone 17 launch, however, questions remain. Apple’s recent rollout of AI features has been less than spectacular, leading to concerns among investors. Analyst Ben Wood praised the new product launches but emphasized the crucial need for Apple to deliver on its AI promises, acknowledging that the company had fallen short of expectations last year. While the strong initial sales of the iPhone 17 could offer a temporary reprieve, Apple’s long-term success hinges on its ability to compete not only in the hardware market but also in the increasingly crucial field of artificial intelligence.
