IPhone sales in China to surpass U.S. for the first time

IPhone sales in China to surpass U.S. for the first time

Analysts estimate that Apple sold roughly 18 to 20 million iPhones in China.

Apple will release is second quarter earnings statement on Monday, revealing how many computers, phones and tablets the Cupertino company sold between January and March.

Analysts tell Bloomberg Business that they expect Apple to report a more than a 20 percent jump in earnings. And although Apple does not break down sales by country, analysts estimate that the company sold around 18 to 20 million iPhones in China, compared to roughly 14 or 15 million in the U.S. This would mark the first quarter that iPhone sales in China exceeded those in the United States.

“Before, there was some strength in Asia and that was people buying for themselves, then you have the phenomenon you have in Chinese New Year, which is when people gift,” Ben Bajarin, a Creative Strategies, LLC analyst told Bloomberg. “Our big question is what happens in China for the next few quarters? Are they on par with the U.S. At some point in time, it feels like it is inevitable that every quarter iPhone in China will be bigger than the U.S.”

Overall, it’s been a good year so far for Apple. In January, Apple reported its highest revenue in history – and the highest profit of any company ever, according to CNET – with 74.5 million iPhones sold.

But these huge sales figures for the iPhone may prove a double edge sword, as demand for Apple’s tablets has fallen just as demand for the iPhone has surged. Typically the iPhone sales account for about half of Apple’s sales. Last quarter, meanwhile, they comprised nearly 69 percent, CNET reports.

Indeed, in the earnings statement to be released Monday, the iPad is expected to show a fifth straight quarter of decline, according to Bloomberg.

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