iPhone's Resurgence: Apple Reclaims China's Market Lead

Apple's iPhone sales registered a 15% year-over-year jump during April and May 2025, marking the company's strongest two-month period for this timeframe since the pandemic began, according to Counterpoint Research's Market Pulse Global Monthly Smartphone Sales Report. For Apple enthusiasts, this milestone signals a notable turnaround after a turbulent start to the year, particularly in China, the world's most competitive smartphone market.

Turning the Tide in China

Apple's performance in China stands out as the most consequential shift of the period. Counterpoint's report shows that after a sharp contraction in Q1—driven by intense competition from local vendors and a near 50% drop in March iPhone shipments (CAICT)—Apple not only reversed its recent market share losses but also reclaimed the top spot in China's smartphone market by May. Market observers, such as those at AppleInsider and 9to5Mac, attribute this rebound to aggressive