Apple’s iPhone 17 is reshaping China’s smartphone market: 256GB, A19 3 nm, LTPO OLED ProMotion 1-120 Hz, still $799. Xiaomi 17 shipments reportedly cut by 20%.
© E. Vartanyan
The iPhone 17 refresh has noticeably altered the pecking order in China’s smartphone market. Apple put forward a well-balanced base iPhone 17 that quickly outpaced rivals, including the Xiaomi 17. Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities reports that demand was strong enough for Apple’s model that shipments of the Xiaomi 17 were cut by 20%, shifting from a 10 million target to 8 million units.
What’s powering the iPhone 17’s momentum are meaningful upgrades delivered without a price increase. Buyers get double the storage—256 GB instead of the usual 128 GB—a 3 nm A19 chip, and an LTPO OLED display with ProMotion that varies refresh rates from 1 to 120 Hz. The screen helps conserve battery and makes everyday interactions feel smoother. All of that comes while keeping the price at $799, the same as the previous iPhone 16, which makes the phone an especially compelling pick among direct competitors. It’s a quiet but effective value play that tends to resonate when shoppers weigh every spec against sticker price.