Price cuts, iPhone 11 timing drive Apple’s uncertain China rebound: analysts

SHANGHAI: Apple Inc managed to largely stem a fall in China revenue in the September quarter thanks to the release-timing of the iPhone 11, a cheaper variant, and a bit of good luck, but analysts said the company’s good fortunes might be short-lived.

Apple said sales in greater China fell 2.4% in its fourth quarter ended Sept. 30, a far cry from the 27% drop it saw in the first quarter this year – a fact that Chief Executive Tim Cook played up on the company’s post-earnings call on Wednesday.

A confluence of things helped.