iPhone 16 Pro models dominate lackluster iPhone 16 sales

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iPhone

Ming-Chi Kuo says that the iPhone 16 Pro continues to be the big seller, with production continuing through China's National Day holiday to keep up with demand.

Two smartphones displaying home screens with apps and widgets, including weather, calendar, and messages. One phone is blue, another is white, positioned on a white surface.
iPhone 16 [left], iPhone 16 Pro



Following the launch of an iPhone generation, analysts check out the state of the supply chain to see if there are any signs of lessened demand. In the case of the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, that doesn't seem to be the case.

According to TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in a Wednesday X post, the assembly orders in the supply chain "remain unchanged" for the moment. Indeed, suppliers have also been asked to continue manufacturing Pro models throughout China's National Day holiday.

Continuing manufacturing of specific models during a typical holiday is a big sign of continued demand. Kuo says demand for the Pro models "has generally met expectations so far."

iPhone 16 shipment updates

1. Assembly orders almost remain unchanged. Suppliers had been asked to continue producing two Pro models during China's National Day holiday, indicating that demand for the Pro models has generally met expectations so far.

2. Some component orders

-- (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo)



Despite demand, there has been a slight curtailing of some component orders from mid-November. However, the reduction is "essentially negligible" to Kuo, being between 3% and 5%.

Those cuts are also being applied primarily to the base and Plus models of iPhone 16. Demand for those models are said to be "lackluster" compared to the 2023 releases.

As for the Pro models, shipments are similar to the iPhone 15 Pro line at this point after launch. Kuo adds that the current shipping times for Pro models are actually shorter than the iPhone 15 Pro versions.

Kuo's focus on the supply chain will be how U.S. market demand and shipments change in late October, coinciding with the release of Apple Intelligence.




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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 9
    M68000M68000 Posts: 892member
    How pathetic it is that “national holidays” often have little meaning anymore with non essential people working.  The world will survive if iPhone or any other phone production stops for a day, even a month.  It reminds me of mighty Amazon having people seemingly out all times of the day and on holidays delivering packages.
    grandact73watto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 9
    danoxdanox Posts: 3,470member
    The Pro iPhone models have been outselling the cheaper 14 and 15 iPhones for the last two product cycles, the public appears to want to get the Pro models as opposed to the cheaper entry model and the trend appears to be continuing with the 16 pro.
    edited October 2024 ssfe11watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 9
    eriamjheriamjh Posts: 1,778member
    Good for ASP numbers.  
    Good for margins.  
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 9
    nubusnubus Posts: 650member
    eriamjh said:
    Good for ASP numbers.  
    Good for margins.  
    Not so fast.

    The number of iPhone users added in 2023 was at 2009 level. As a percentage 2023 was the worst ever by far. The iPhone user base is stalling and so is Apple.
    iPhone is the gateway to app sales, repairs, other services, cases, Watch, AirPods, iPad, and Mac. We have to look at the total value of having a customer.
    williamlondongrandact73
  • Reply 5 of 9
    lewchenkolewchenko Posts: 137member
    Surprised considering how well the 16 and 16 plus have been reviewed. 
    A much better value proposition than the PRO … but people still prefer the PRO if they can justify the extra cost. 
    That pesky zoom camera and 120hz display ! Counter argument is that many look at the absence of these things on the 16/16+ and think it’s hobbled in some way, so the real entry price of the 16 series is the 16 Pro (for the majority).  I’m probably in that boat. 
    kdupuis77watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 9
    kiwimacheadkiwimachead Posts: 66member
    No idea why anyone would want a non pro iPhone at the present time. The pro models are excellent devices, albeit way too expensive compared with other brands which offer similar or superior features for similar or less outlay than a standard iPhone. I hang on to my Apple gear for a number of years, they are paid for by my small business and have a stupid sentimental attachment to the Mac and Apple’s ecosystem, so grudgingly accept the extra cost for the time being, but there are plenty of other great personal computing device options.
    williamlondon
  • Reply 7 of 9
    danielgomesdanielgomes Posts: 11member
    M68000 said:
    How pathetic it is that “national holidays” often have little meaning anymore with non essential people working.  The world will survive if iPhone or any other phone production stops for a day, even a month.  It reminds me of mighty Amazon having people seemingly out all times of the day and on holidays delivering packages.

    That was my first thought too. These people work hard enough as it is. Just let them have a days break for goodness sake!
  • Reply 8 of 9
    danielgomesdanielgomes Posts: 11member
    kiwimachead said:
    No idea why anyone would want a non pro iPhone at the present time. The pro models are excellent devices, albeit way too expensive compared with other brands which offer similar or superior features for similar or less outlay than a standard iPhone. I hang on to my Apple gear for a number of years, they are paid for by my small business and have a stupid sentimental attachment to the Mac and Apple’s ecosystem, so grudgingly accept the extra cost for the time being, but there are plenty of other great personal computing device options.

    Too expensive. Also not everyone wants a heavy, 3 lense phone. The regular iPhone is lighter, maybe slimmer and sleek. I'm wanting to move back to iPhone after 5 years on Android and am looking at the 13 and 14 models. Firstly because of budget and secondly because I like the ringer switch. 

    If I had the money I would definitely consider the 16, however that Action button puts me off a little.

    Maybe some buyers aren't excited by the Camera control button while others probably don't see enough value to upgrade. Let's see if Ai can boost sales when it arrives.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 9 of 9
    kdupuis77kdupuis77 Posts: 160member
    lewchenko said:
    Surprised considering how well the 16 and 16 plus have been reviewed. 
    A much better value proposition than the PRO … but people still prefer the PRO if they can justify the extra cost. 
    That pesky zoom camera and 120hz display ! Counter argument is that many look at the absence of these things on the 16/16+ and think it’s hobbled in some way, so the real entry price of the 16 series is the 16 Pro (for the majority).  I’m probably in that boat. 
    That's exactly how I look at it too! If it weren't for the 60Hz display and not having the extra zoom... I'd totally have gotten the 16 instead of the 16 Pro this go around... Particularly for one of the cooler more exciting color options that those have. I too don't look at the Pro as the "extra nice model" and instead view the 16 as the "hobbled to save a few bucks" model... Kinda like looking at a full-fat streaming service (ie. full price with no commercials) vs. the hobbled ad-ridden experience for $1 less a month that''s really only there to catch the handful of people, that the extra $1 a month would be a dealbreaker, but really is there for the majority of us to make the full cost product seem more worth its asking price. Kinda like how at movie theaters a small popcorn or drink is $6.50 and the mega-large is $6.75 lol.
    edited October 2024 watto_cobra
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