Ming-Chi Kuo: first week demand for iPhone 17 series outpaces iPhone 16 series

The iPhone 16 series was the last entry in a design that can be traced back to the 11-series. Now the new iPhone 17 generation is here and it’s off to a better start than last year’s models, reports analyst Ming-Chi Kuo after examining the production targets and lead times after a week of pre-orders.

Last year, the first week of iPhone 16 pre-orders was below expectations. Now, Apple has rebounded and the first-week demand for iPhone 17 models topped that of their predecessors.

Kuo looked at lead times – the shipping estimates for the new models, which quickly grew to several weeks. Apple’s production target for the iPhone 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max for Q3 this year was 25% higher than for the same models in Q3 2024. Even with more production, the estimated delivery times are around a week longer, which suggests stronger demand for the core trio.

Apple iPhone 17 • Apple iPhone 17 Pro • Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max • Apple iPhone Air

Of them, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is still the most-desired model – Apple increased production by 60% or so compared to the 16 Pro Max, but even so, lead times are similar for the two models.

As for the newcomer, the iPhone Air, Apple aimed to produce 3x as many units in Q3 this year compared to the iPhone 16 Plus last year. That seems to have been the right number as the Air is not showing any shipping delays. Kuo says that the sales of the Air will have to be tracked over a longer period before a fair assessment can be reached.

The iPhone 17 series goes on sale this Friday. In the meantime, check out our hot take on the 2025 iPhones and a look into what the iPhone Air had to sacrifice to get as thin as it did.

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Apple iPhone 17

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Air

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