A particular phone is driving growth in the global smartphone market with exceptionally high sales.

Apple's iPhone 17 has seen considerable demand in China, Apple's largest market, boosting the company's performance. According to IDC's China Monthly Sales data, Apple held the top spot in sales for October and November with over 20% market share. This performance has led IDC to adjust its Q4 forecast for Apple in China from a 9% year-over-year increase to 17%.

Nabila Popal, IDC's senior research director, commented on these figures in December 2025.

Apple has shifted market trends in areas such as the US and Western Europe. The initial forecast for Apple in China for 2025 was a 1% decline, but it is now predicted to grow by 3%.

Looking ahead to 2026, Apple intends to modify the iPhone release schedule with the iPhone 18 series. The iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro models are slated for release in September 2026, while the standard iPhone 18 launch may be pushed to the spring of 2027.

As a result of this schedule change, IDC projects a 4.2% decrease in iOS shipments in 2026. Combined with a global memory shortage that could cause supply limitations and higher prices, total smartphone shipments are forecast to fall by 0.9% in 2026. Both the overall market and Apple's shipments are anticipated to recover and grow again in 2027.

Apple's ability to outsell expectations with the iPhone 17 is notable. The influence a single company can exert on the market by altering its release plans demonstrates its significant influence.