Apple shifts iPhone 16 production mix to greatly favor Pro models

AppleInsider

The iPhone 16 Pro Max will be the most-produced model in the 2024 release slate, according to a report into supply chain component shipments.

Cameras on an iPhone 16 Pro mock-up

The Pro models of iPhone are already the most popular option among consumers. With continued expectations of high sales for Pro editions to continue, Apple is preparing for the trend to be maintained.

Current speculation from the supply chain has Apple producing around 90.1 million iPhones in the iPhone 16 generation, reports The Elec. Divided by model, the main iPhone 16 should consist of 24.5 million units, the Plus at 5.8 million, the Pro at 26.6 million, and the Pro Max at 33.2 million.

As a percentage, the iPhone 16 will have a 27% share of shipments, the Pro Max gets 37%, the Pro hits 30%, and the iPhone 16 Plus just 6% of the total.

This should mean the Pro models will make up 67% of total production. This is a very high percentage, which indicates Apple believes more people will go for the higher-tier models.

The 67% figure is higher than the display order mix between Pro and Pro Max models and their standard counterparts for the iPhone 15 generation, as observed in September 2023. In August 2023, the split was closer to 60% in favor of Pro models over standard editions.

The production mix arrives as part of a report claiming that the tetraprism lens for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max have started to ship to assembly partners from LG Innoteck. Both Pro models are anticipated to have the component, which will improve the telephoto zoom from 3x to 5x for both models.

Along with the tetraprism lens appearing on both iPhone 16 Pro models, it is believed that the ultra wide lens on both models will also grow to 48 megapixels. The non-Pro models will see improvements to the aperture to improve low-light photography, include macro support, and be arranged vertically to enable Spatial Video recording.

There has also been discussion about a Capture button, which will make it easier for consumers to take photos with the smartphone.




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mike1

That makes sense. My speculation is that initial production skews towards the Pro models as sales to early adopters and up graders lean towards the Pro models. Then it shifts a little towards the other models for the holiday season and the rest of the year lower price points gain a higher share.

apple4thewin

Unfortunately they were under 2% 😢. But yeah this makes sense hopefully they actually have the models readily available this year especially for att cause the almost never have it (or in a color I don’t want) when launch week happens 

iadlib

If they were smart they would move colors to the pro line and the basic black/white/silver to the standard. It would make them a ton more money and simplify their product lineup and assembly process. 

danox

In the past every time Apple has made more of the cheaper phones most of the public buy the higher end Apple phones.

https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/iphone-15-sales-figures-show-the-pro-models-have-become-the-default

https://www.bloomberg.com/professional/insights/data/apple-iphone-15-unit-sales-likely-to-stagnate-in-us/

Note in every cycle there are financial and tech experts who say Apple should make sell/cheap.

mattinoz

mike1 said:

That makes sense. My speculation is that initial production skews towards the Pro models as sales to early adopters and up graders lean towards the Pro models. Then it shifts a little towards the other models for the holiday season and the rest of the year lower price points gain a higher share.

Pro buyers are probably the people who are better at keeping a phone in good condition so can hang out and upgrade on their own timeframe. So make sense there would be an initial flush then swing towards the more price sensitive options as sales are driven by more adhoc buying reasons.