iPhone 16 Series Sees Mixed Global Pre-Order Demand, Surge in Interest for Non-Pro Models

Pre-orders for the iPhone 16 series began on September 13, and demand has been notably high worldwide, according to market analysts. The iPhone 16 Plus has emerged as the top performer, showing the highest growth in pre-orders compared to its predecessor.

However, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models are experiencing lower demand despite having shorter delivery times and a significant increase in units ready for shipment.

iPhone 16 Series Pre-Order Demand

In a blog post, TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo highlighted that both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have seen increased year-on-year (YoY) demand compared to their previous versions. The standard model has recorded a 10 percent rise in first weekend pre-orders, while the Plus variant's demand has surged by an impressive 48 percent, even with longer average delivery times compared to the iPhone 15 Plus.

The total first weekend pre-order sales of the iPhone 16 series are estimated at around 37 million units, marking a decrease of approximately 12.7 percent from last year. A significant factor contributing to this decline is the reduced demand for the iPhone 16 Pro models. The introduction of the new tetraprism lens on the iPhone 16 Pro and maintaining stable pricing similar to last year are key factors influencing pre-order volumes.

iPhone 16 Series Potential

Kuo also pointed out that the absence of Apple Intelligence features at launch might be contributing to the lower pre-order numbers. Features such as writing tools, a smarter Siri, Clean Up tool, and Image Playground were showcased by Apple at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2024. While some of these features are expected to debut with the iOS 18.1 update next month, others have been delayed until next year.

Despite these challenges, Kuo suggested that there is still potential for Apple to boost its iPhone 16 sales following the release of Apple Intelligence features and during the holiday season. The tech giant is anticipated to implement aggressive strategies to revive market demand for its flagship new iPhone models.

The analyst further noted that Apple's top performer is said to be the iPhone 16 Plus which has seen the highest growth in pre-orders compared to previous generations. On the other hand, despite shorter delivery times and up to double units ready for shipment, iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models are seeing lower demand.

In summary, while initial pre-order figures for Apple's latest series show mixed results across different models, there remains optimism for improved sales performance with upcoming feature releases and strategic market efforts.