China is doing much of the heavy lifting for Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro launch, with a 29% sales increase helping offset declines in the U. S. and Japan, according to Counterpoint Research . Combined global sales of the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max rose 3. 1% during their first three weeks of availability compared with the equivalent launch period last year. U. S. sales fell 4%, while Japan recorded a 27% decline. Counterpoint attributed China’s growth to better initial supply and higher prices for competing Android flagships. In the U. S. , the firm said buyers perceived insufficient changes to features and design, despite additions such as the variable aperture camera . Apple raised starting prices by $100 in the U. S…