iPhone 7 Plus performed better than iPhone 7 in China last year

According to a new report by research firm Counterpoint firm, Apple was the only foreign brand to have a smartphone model in the top 10 best-selling handsets in China in 2017.

The report said that after the price of iPhone 7 series decreased, competitiveness of the product was getting evident, especially iPhone 7 Plus with 128G ROM, price of which was lowered under $900 representing over 16 percent discount and in comparison iPhone 7 Plus performed better than iPhone 7, demonstrating that currently in China market price may not be the only concern among consumers. Apple users may value more on better specs (E.g. larger screen and dual-camera) than extra budget.

Meanwhile, local OEMs Huawei, OPPO and VIVO out-paced other players in the competition occupying 7 slots in the top 10 board and middle-tier models monopolized the hot-sale slots in China market with iPhone 7 series there being the only exception under premium price sector.

The report pointed out that, average monthly sales volume of all top 10 models has hit 1 million in 2017.

The competition in China 2017, the biggest smartphone market around the globe in terms of sales volume, has become increasingly fierce with consumers' upgrade demand lengthened and the overall market more saturated, the firm said.

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Counterpoint analyst James Yan said "We've witnessed a tough and struggling year for smartphone OEMs to attract the purchasing intention among Chinese consumers, who, surrounded by a rich array of quality choices, may probably be the pickiest and most demanding "decision makers" in the world."

Despite all the efforts made by smartphone OEMs in new product development, channel expansion, and marketing promotion in 2017, China smartphone market ended the year with weak demand and flat growth. Bezel-less products made the big buzz in the market starting from 2H, yet many of them did not turn its "fame" into real sales as originally expected.

HONOR 8 Lite made its way into the Top 10 for its fashionable design and mirror-glass body that favored by young consumers, while HONOR Enjoy 6X attracted the market with its dual-camera and affordable price (under the Sub 200 price band).

HONOR with its expertise in online sales has established close cooperation with major e-commerce platforms in China, thus able to offer enchanting promotions on a frequent basis. The strength of HONOR in online channel is also a key factor for its success towards the Top 10.