Global sales of the iPhone 18 Pro series increased by 3.1% compared to the iPhone 17 Pro series during the first three weeks after launch, according to new data from Counterpoint Research.
This is a mixed start for a lineup that has done well in regions such as China and India, with more modest performance elsewhere, adds the research group. Year-over-year sales growth is concentrated in the Chinese market, which grew by 29% year-over-year (YoY) and accounted for the majority of the global increase.
This was driven by smoother product supply compared with last year and by competing models from Android manufacturers raising their prices. Counterpoint says sales declined YoY in both the US and Japan. In Japan in particular, exchange rates have amplified the price increases, weakening demand.
Associate Director Sujeong Lim commented, “Whether China’s outperformance reflects durable demand or front-loaded buying will become clearer in the coming weeks. The recovery of US and Japanese volumes, and whether the iPhone Duo launching in Week 43 will generate incremental demand rather than cannibalising Pro Max, are the two most consequential near-term variables.”
Research Director Tarun Pathak added, “Reception to the iPhone 18 Pro series has been mixed by region. We are tracking sales weekly to see how demand holds once the usual launch-window spike fades, and that will shape the holiday quarter. This launch follows a very strong iPhone 17 series sales last year with memory-driven price hikes and macro uncertainty are weighing on upgrades. Overall upgrade cycles are stretching. However, even single-digit volume growth works in Apple’s favor.”
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