Apple (AAPL) is expected to ship a record number of iPhones this year driven by strong demand for its latest device, according to research firm IDC.
The iPhone 17 is seeing brisk sales around the world and benefiting from a resurgence in the key market of China, says IDC in a new forecast.
The data crunched by IDC shows that Apple is on pace to ship 247.4 million iPhones in 2025, up 6% year-over-year.
That’s more than the record 236 million devices that were sold in 2021 when the iPhone 13 was released.
IDC calls the iPhone 17 a “phenomenal success” and says that there is “massive demand” for the smartphone in China after years of declining sales.
Shipments refer to the number of devices sent by a vendor such as Apple to its sales channels such as e-commerce partners and stores and are an approximation for sales.
IDC sees Apple’s shipments in China rising 17% year-over-year in 2025. The iPhone still accounts for roughly half of Apple’s annual revenue.
The latest forecast from IDC follows a similar one from Counterpoint Research that forecast Apple would ship more smartphones than Samsung in 2025 for the first time in 14 years.
AAPL stock has risen 17% this year to trade at $286.19 U.S. per share.
