iPhone 17 Launch Draws Global Crowds Amid Rising Competition

preCharge News BUSINESS — The Apple iPhone 17 hit store shelves worldwide on Friday, drawing lines from Beijing to London.

But beyond the launch buzz, Apple is under pressure to prove itself, grappling with questions over its artificial intelligence plans, as well as increasing competition.

Products on display for the first time include the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air, as well as new Apple Watch and AirPods models.

While they were available for preorders in the United States from September 12, the global launch holds particular significance as Apple takes on growing competition in overseas markets.

Apple’s latest iPhone models are shown on display at its Regent Street, London store on the launch day of the iPhone 17.

China Competition

One of those markets is China, where customers waited for hours — and even overnight — to get their hands on the new iPhone.

First in line at the Apple flagship Store in Sanlitun, Beijing, this morning, was Liu — he did not wish to be identified by his full name — who told CNBC that he had been queuing since 11 p.m. local time Thursday for his chance to pick up the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

He said he was excited about the smartphone’s new color and exterior design, which Apple says has improved the phone’s heat dissipation.

Notably, Liu also said he has changed to Apple from Huawei in recent years, saying he preferred the iPhone for daily use and entertainment.

Another person, who wished to be identified only by his surname, Yang — an erstwhile Xiaomi user — said he had been waiting to get his hands on the latest iPhone, preferring its operating system.

Both Liu and Yang expect many Chinese residents to buy their first iPhone this year due to the new features, including larger internal storage.

If that trend were to pan out, it would be welcome news for Apple, which has lost market share in China to players such as Huawei and Xiaomi.

After years of leadership in the region, the iPhone-maker now only holds 10% of the Chinese smartphone market, trailing local players like Oppo, Huawei, Xiaomi and others, according to data from Omdia.

People lined up outside Apple’s Regent Street, London store on Sept. 19 to get their hands on the latest iPhone 17.

So far, the signs are positive for the iPhone 17 series in China. Last Friday, JD.com — one of China’s largest ecommerce platforms — saw the first minute of iPhone 17 series preorders surpass the first-day preorder volume of last year’s iPhone 16 series, the company reported.

At 10 a.m. local time on Friday, JD.com said that iPhone 17 trade-in sales were four times higher than the same period last year.

Other Markets

In the much smaller but affluent market of Singapore, the redesigned iPhone 17s were also met with fervor, with long lines forming outside Apple outlets across the city.

Iman Isa and Daniel Muhamed Nuv, two young professionals in Singapore, both queued for hours at Apple’s outlet in the city’s iconic Marina Bay mall to buy iPhone 17 Pros, which they said were their first new phones in years.

Citing the fresh design, longer battery life and improved camera, they said the new phones offer enough to keep them loyal to the Apple ecosystem.