BEIJING, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Apple Inc's ( AAPL ) new

iPhones got off to a strong start in China, with their sales

rising 20% in their first three weeks since their launch

compared with its 2023 model, according to data from research

firm Counterpoint.

Both Apple ( AAPL ) and Huawei's latest smartphones went on

sale in China on Sept. 20, underscoring intensifying competition

in the world's biggest smartphone market where the U.S. firm has

been losing market share in recent quarters to domestic rivals.

"We're seeing strong iPhone 16 series unit sales in China,"

Counterpoint said, adding the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models

were doing particularly well, with their combined sales rising

44% compared with their equivalent 2023 versions.

Overall iPhone unit sales in China, however, dropped 2% year

on year during the three-week period because of decreased sales

of older models and increased competition with Huawei's Mate and

Pura series, it said.

(Reporting by Yelin Mo and Miyoung Kim; Editing by Muralikumar

Anantharaman)