The pre-order sales of Apple’s new iPhone 17 series have seen an impressive start in China, setting new records and surpassing previous benchmarks, despite the ongoing delays in the shipment of the iPhone Air. The excitement surrounding the launch was palpable, as the first minute after pre-orders opened at 8 PM local time on Friday witnessed a surge in sales on JD.com, one of China’s largest online shopping platforms. According to the e-commerce operator, sales in that opening minute exceeded the total first-day pre-order volume of last year’s iPhone 16 series.
Among the various models available, the standard iPhone 17 with 256GB of storage emerged as the most sought-after variant, reflecting the preferences of Chinese consumers. The significant demand for the iPhone 17 series has led to reports of customers experiencing challenges while attempting to access the pre-order page on Apple’s official website, as detailed in a report from the Chinese media outlet The Paper.
One customer who successfully secured their new iPhone 17 for delivery on the much-anticipated launch date of September 19 shared their experience of the pre-order process. They noted that it took approximately five minutes for the site to process their payment, highlighting the overwhelming demand for the device. Additionally, all available time slots for in-person pickups of the iPhone 17 Pro Max at Apple outlets in Shanghai were fully booked within a mere 20 minutes of the pre-orders opening.
As of Saturday morning, prospective buyers in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, looking to purchase any variant of the iPhone 17 series faced an extended waiting period, with Apple’s website indicating that the wait could last until October 15. This delay underscores the incredible enthusiasm surrounding Apple’s latest smartphone release and suggests that the iPhone 17 series is set to be one of the most successful launches in the company’s history.
In conclusion, the robust pre-order sales of the iPhone 17 series reflect the strong demand and excitement among consumers in China. With challenges faced during the ordering process and extended wait times, it is clear that Apple has once again captured the attention of the market with its innovative offerings.
