iPhone 16 preorders might be about 12.7% YoY lower than the first weekend sales of iPhone 15 from 2023. However, a highly regarded analyst says there’s higher demand for the iPhone 16 and its Plus sibling.
The analyst blames the lower-than-expected demand on Apple Intelligence being unavailable at launch.
Higher demand for iPhone 16 than iPhone 16 Pro
Apple stopped publishing the preorder numbers and opening weekend sales figures of new iPhones years ago. So, we must rely on supply-chain research from reputable analysts to get an idea about the demand for new iPhones. Based on a note from TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 16 is off to a slow start.
The analyst estimates Apple received 37 million preorders for new iPhones during the launch weekend. This is about 12.7% lower than the iPhone 15‘s opening weekend sales. More importantly, Apple received fewer iPhone 16 Pro preorders, with consumers preferring the iPhone 16/Plus instead. However, the higher demand for the latter is not enough to boost the overall iPhone shipments.
As per Kuo’s research, iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max preorders are down by 27% and 16% from last year. iPhone 16 Plus demand is apparently up by a whopping 48%, while that of the iPhone 16 is up by 10%.
Unlike last year, Apple produced enough Pro Max models to fill most preorders. Kuo thinks Apple pulled this off thanks to improved yield of the 5x periscope camera as well as the company’s expectations of higher consumer interest in it.
Apple Intelligence release might boost iPhone 16 demand
Kuo speculates that one of the reasons for the lower demand for the new iPhones is the lack of Apple Intelligence at launch. The iPhone 16’s biggest selling point likely will arrive with iOS 18.1 in October. Additionally, in China, Apple faces stiff competition from local players like Oppo, Vivo, Huawei and Xiaomi.
Despite the lower demand, the analyst says Apple will not adjust the production for the new iPhones in the short term.
The company might see a boost in the demand for the iPhone 16 following the release of Apple Intelligence. Plus, attractive promotions during the holiday season and year-end might help boost the demand for the new iPhones. And if that does not work, the company might adopt a more aggressive product strategy in 2025 to boost demand.
