Pre-orders for the iPhone 16 series were down 12.7% year-on-year to about 37 million units. Compared to the iPhone 15 series, pre-orders for the iPhone 16 Pro were down 27% and those for the iPhone 16 Pro Max were down 16%.
According to research by Ming-Chi Kuo , a well-known analyst familiar with Apple-related information, the number of pre-orders for the iPhone 16 series , which will be released in 2024, has decreased by 12.7% compared to the previous iPhone 15 series.
iPhone 16 first weekend pre-order analysis: estimated total sales of about 37 million units; Pro series demand lower than expected | by Ming-Chi Kuo | Sep, 2024 | Medium
https://medium.com/@mingchikuo/iphone-16-first-weekend-pre-order-analysis-estimated-total-sales-of-about-37-million-units-pro-0a04869b147c
Apple's Hearing Aid, Sleep Apnea Saved iPhone 16 Event; M4 Mac Launch Details - Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-09-15/apple-s-hearing-aid-sleep-apnea-saved-iphone-16-event-m4-mac-launch-details-m13kkabb
According to Kuo's information, the number of preorders for the iPhone 16 Pro Max in the first week was 17.1 million, which is about 16% lower than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Similarly, the iPhone 16 Pro saw a decrease of about 27%, while the iPhone 16 Plus saw a 48% increase and the iPhone 16 saw a 10% increase. This makes it clear that consumers are looking for entry-level models rather than high-end models in the iPhone 16 series.
| Model | Average delivery time | First week pre-orders | Percentage change in first week pre-orders year-over-year | Production volume before pre-orders are accepted | Percentage change in pre-order production volume compared to last year |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | iPhone 16 Pro Max: 3 to 4 weeks (iPhone 15 Pro Max: 7-8 weeks) | 17.1 million units | -16% | 6 million units | 106% |
| iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro: 1-2 weeks (iPhone 15 Pro: 3 to 4 weeks) | 9.8 million units | -27% | 5.5 million units | 7% |
| iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Plus: 2-3 weeks (iPhone 15 Plus: Less than a week) | 2.6 million units | 48% | 1.3 million units | -28% |
| iPhone 16 | iPhone 16: 1-2 weeks (iPhone 15: 1-2 weeks) | 7.3 million units | 10% | 4.2 million units | 15% |
The iPhone 16 series has an updated chip and some improvements, such as the addition of a dedicated button called the 'camera control button.' The Pro and Pro Max models have added features such as a 48-megapixel camera, a 12-megapixel camera with 5x telephoto shooting, and 4K video recording at up to 120 fps, but Bloomberg evaluates that 'the main changes were basic improvements to the device, rather than the introduction of exciting new features,' and points out that while user satisfaction will remain, it will not lead to a significant increase in purchases.
In addition, it has been pointed out that the AI function 'Apple Intelligence' that is confirmed to be installed in the iPhone 16 series will be added some time after the launch, so it may not have led to sales immediately after the launch. In addition, Kuo also speculates that 'intense smartphone competition in the Chinese market is hindering demand for the iPhone.'
Huawei's smartphone sales in China are up 69.7% year-on-year, while Apple is struggling with a 19% decrease - GIGAZINE
Overall, first-week preorders for the iPhone 16 series were down 12.7% year-on-year, with demand for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max falling short of analyst expectations. After the preorder data was released, Apple's shares fell 2.8% in one day, and chip makers involved in the iPhone business, such as Cirrus Logic, reportedly also saw their shares fall.
'Although the first week was disappointing, sales are likely to improve due to the holiday shopping season in Europe and the United States and the W11 (sales event on November 11) in China. By taking these factors into account, we will be able to capture changes in iPhone demand,' Kuo said.
Related Posts:
