The iPhone 16 series has hit the market with a strong launch, but there are some early signs that the momentum might not be as explosive as previous years. According to a report from Morgan Stanley, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus sold an impressive 37 million units in their first weekend. However, there’s a hint of caution in the air, as demand seems to be slightly lower than the iPhone 15 launch.
This observation comes from analyzing lead times – the duration between placing an order and receiving your new iPhone. This year, the lead times for the iPhone 16 series are notably shorter compared to the iPhone 15. For example, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a lead time of 25.5 days, down from 43.5 days last year. The iPhone 16 Pro has a lead time of 18.5 days, compared to 32.5 days last year. The iPhone 16 has a lead time of 9 days, compared to 14 days last year. And the iPhone 16 Plus has a lead time of 7.9 days, compared to 13.9 days last year.
Interestingly, the iPhone 16 has the shortest lead time of any iPhone released in the past five years, roughly on par with the iPhone 12. While this might suggest a lower demand, it’s essential to remember that lead times are based on Apple’s iPhone stock, and the company is known for keeping this information under wraps. It’s possible that Apple produced enough iPhones to meet the anticipated demand, rather than experiencing a genuine lack of interest.
It’s worth noting that even with the lower initial sales of the iPhone 12, Apple still saw a strong quarter nine months after its launch. Therefore, it’s too early to predict how the iPhone 16 will perform overall. The new iPhone boasts a range of impressive features, but they may not be enough to entice a significant number of new customers.
AppleInsider also reports that many people are upgrading simply because their old phones are outdated, not because they’re particularly excited about new features like Apple Intelligence. With talk of a potential recession and economic uncertainty, it’s understandable that some consumers may be hesitant to upgrade until absolutely necessary.
