Apple Posts Strongest Two-Month iPhone Growth Since Pandemic

iPhone sales jumped 15% year-over-year in April and May 2025, "signaling Apple's strongest two-month performance for the period since the pandemic," reports MacRumors, citing preliminary data from Counterpoint Research. From the report: The growth was driven mainly by the United States and China, Apple's two largest markets. Both regions returned to positive year-over-year growth after three years of declines during what is typically a less seasonal period. China sales were particularly notable, with Apple capturing the top spot in May. It's quite the turnaround, after Apple only recently sustained market share losses to Huawei and other local mobile vendors. [...]

The report showed Japan also indicated strong iPhone demand, with the more affordable iPhone 16e proving especially popular among consumers who favor smaller devices. The device's entry-level pricing apparently appealed to Japanese tastes, while Apple also maintained strong sales for the iPhone 16 base model and even the older iPhone 14. India continued its growth trajectory as Apple expands both manufacturing and market presence in the world's most populous country.

Did people finally learn iPhone has USB-C?

[MacMann]

I can recall so many comments on how the iPhone was crippled, inferior, or something for using the Lightning connector. Apple started putting USB-C on their new iPhone models how long ago? A year and a some months ago? Maybe it took a bit for people to learn of this switch.

I'm half joking. I'm sure that there's more to it. USB-C ports almost certainly helped with improving sales.

Re:

[registrations_suck]

The only reason I upgraded from the 14PM to the 16PM was the USB-C port.

I skipped the 15 because I just couldn't justify replacing a 1 year old phone. Even 2 years was very marginal (my phone before the 14PM was the XS, which I only replaced because I destroyed it with Dr. Pepper), but I really wanted the USB-C port to simplify my "cable life".

Re:

[tlhIngan]

I'm the opposite. Because to replace my Lightning investment would cost me several hundred dollars in replacing accessories that were lightning-only. And one of them was a useful accessory (thermal camera).

Sure you can get them in USB-C, but they're still a few hundred dollars. More if you want a FLIR camera. (Annoyingly the FLIR USB-C ones only work on Android - their current plan for iPhones is to use their wireless one)

No they didn't

[martin-boundary]

April and May coincided with Trump Tariffs. People did the math. Either upgrade now or pay twice as much for the same product in 3 months, and that's if the current crazy American government doesn't completely ban all foreign imports and makes the iphone vanish in the USA.

BTW the tariffs are only paused for a couple more weeks... (yes I know about TACO)

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

Tim Apple is on the case

Re:

[larryjoe]

Americans buying before tariffs kick in makes sense, but does this also explain the sales rise in China?

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

Apple quite publicly stated that they were going to spread the cost out over everyone. Trump's American tariffs were going to make everyone's phones more expensive. Not just Americans.

Even if they didn't, China's retaliation could have banned Apple completely.
Plenty of incentive to get one now while they're "cheap".

Re:

[registrations_suck]

fuck off macTROLL

Is that really necessary?

I bought 2 because of tariff threat

[spitzak]

Initially I thought it would be more prudent to wait for the next model, but the tariff threat got me to buy asap. It seems likely this is a big part of the surge.

Re:

[Deimos24601]

Same here. I was going to stretch my two 13 Pro Max's another year, but the threat of tariffs made me rethink that.

Apple reduced prices by $350 in China

[tekram]

'Aggressive price cuts helped lift Apple's sales in China. The company reduced prices on its iPhone 16 lineup by up to 2,530 yuan (about $351), in a bid to compete with local players such as Huawei. Analysts note the discounts helped restore momentum but may not be a sustainable strategy over the longer term.'

There were also a lot of discounts on older models in the US which drove sales in those months.

Time to short Apple?

[dwater]

People are suggesting the surge is due to anticipation of increased prices due to Trump's tariffs.
Even if TACO happens again, there is likely to be a slump in the upcoming sales, right? So, short APPL? Maybe that is already factored into the share price...

The iPhone 16e isn't small!!1

[sleschdott]

"...the more affordable iPhone 16e proving especially popular among consumers who favor smaller devices."

Yeah, I've recently bought a refurbed iPhone SE 3 after holding out for two years for a 1:1 replacement. That's a lost sale for Apple.

I'm still not interested in huge, tablet-sized smartphones, but it seems the market has spoken.

Re:

[registrations_suck]

A lot of people like to see what is on the screen. Easy way to accomplish that is to have a large screen.

For me, a large screen is more important than virtually any other spec or feature of the phone.

That said, I've got no interest in a folding phone (variety of reasons), even if it gave me a larger screen. I also think the screen size on the iPhone 16 Pro Max is large enough. I think it is right about the limit where usability would start to suffer if the screen were any larger.