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Apple (AAPL) shares edged higher, buoyed by fresh data showing a sharp rebound in its most critical international market on April 17. iPhone shipments in China surged 20% year-over-year (YOY) in the first quarter, making Apple the fastest-growing major smartphone vendor in a market that otherwise contracted.
The strength of this performance is underscored by the broader backdrop as China’s overall smartphone shipments declined roughly 4% during the same period, pressured by supply chain disruptions and rising component costs. Yet Apple not only defied the downturn but gained share, reinforcing the durability of its premium positioning and ecosystem-driven demand.