Beijing – Apple's iPhone Air sold out within minutes of its launch in China on Friday, notwithstanding the current tariff war between Washington and Beijing.

The new iPhone instant sale also underscores its popularity among Chinese consumers despite competition from Android devices.

The strong sales followed Apple CEO Tim Cook's visit this week to promote the product in the world's largest smartphone market amid ongoing geopolitical tensions between China and the US.

Cook is the chairman of an advisory body at China's Tsinghua University's management school.

During his visit, he also met Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, who heads China's trade delegation, which is currently holding trade talks with the US to resolve tariffs on Chinese exports.

Pre-sales for the iPhone Air, which supports only e-SIM, began at 9 am local time on Friday, more than a month later than most of the world.

Minutes after bookings opened, the model was sold out at all bricks-and-mortar stores in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as in cities like Tianjin, according to Apple's website. Online shipments were delayed by one to two weeks, according to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.

The robust demand reflects the positive reception of Apple's newest and thinnest model in the Chinese market despite heightened competition from local brands such as Huawei Technologies and Xiaomi, which are striving to expand in the higher-end market in a challenging economy, the report said.

The Chinese smartphone market contracted 3 per cent year on year in the third quarter, with Vivo capturing an 18 per cent share to claim the top spot.

Huawei and Apple followed in second and third place with 16 per cent and 15 per cent shares, respectively, trailed by Xiaomi and Oppo.

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