iPhone 17 Demand Drives Apple Toward Record 2025 Shipments

Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup is shaping 2025 into one of its biggest years. IDC projects more than 247.4 million iPhone shipments in 2025, a 6.1 percent jump from last year. These numbers are reported by the latest IDC data.

IDC also expects total global smartphone shipments to rise 1.5 percent, with Apple contributing most of that growth thanks to the strong pull of the iPhone 17 series.

China Demand Turns Apple’s Forecast From Decline to Growth

China remains the star of Apple’s 2025 story. IDC’s China Monthly Sales data shows the iPhone 17 held more than 20 percent market share in both October and November, placing Apple far ahead of competitors.

This surge forced IDC to revise its 2025 China forecast from a projected 1 percent decline to 3 percent growth. The same trend is visible in the US and Western Europe, where earlier slowdowns have eased.

IDC now expects Apple’s iPhone revenue for 2025 to exceed 261 billion dollars, a 7.2 percent year-over-year increase and a new record.

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Lead Sales, Air Model Lags

Tim Cook recently shared that Apple is aiming for a record-breaking December quarter. Demand is strongest for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models. The iPhone Air, however, is underperforming. Customers clearly prefer the standard and Pro models, showing that Apple’s current value positioning is more appealing than the thinner Air option.

Apple Plans Major Timeline Shift for iPhone 18 Launches

IDC reports that Apple will change its release cycle next year. The company will split the iPhone 18 lineup into two waves. The iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro models will arrive in September 2026. The lower-cost iPhone 18 will not launch until spring 2027. This delay is expected to push iOS shipments down 4.2 percent in 2026.

Global Smartphone Market Faces Memory Shortage in 2026

A worldwide memory shortage is expected in 2026, according to IDC. Limited supply and rising component prices could shrink the overall smartphone market by 0.9 percent. Apple will feel these effects as well, especially alongside its shifted release cycle. Even so, the strong foundation set by the iPhone 17 should help the company stay stable through the slowdown.

Final Note

IDC’s data shows how strongly the iPhone 17 lineup is reshaping Apple’s year. It is driving record shipments, reversing forecasts, and influencing the company’s strategy for its next generation of devices.