(Credit: Eric Zeman/PCMag)
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It's been a few days since Apple opened preorders for the iPhone 17, and an early report suggests the company will record strong sales numbers.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, first-weekend preorder demand for the iPhone 17 series (base, Pro, and Pro Max) is 25% higher than iPhone 16 preorders. Of the three continuing models, the Pro Max has fared the best. Demand for the iPhone 17 Pro Max is 60% higher than it was for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The official launch date is Sept. 19, but ship dates for some new iPhones have slipped to one to three weeks, according to MacRumors.
The higher demand for the Pro models can be attributed to improved cameras, an upgraded chip, a new design, and improved heat dissipation from a new vapor chamber. The base variant also includes a faster chip, better cameras, and increased storage.
Things aren't looking as good for the newest iPhone, though. The iPhone Air will be available for purchase starting Sept. 19, but Kuo says the preorder demand for it is lower than that for the iPhone 16 Plus it replaced. Ironically, it was the Plus variant's low demand that reportedly prompted Apple to consider a new form factor.
Apple still has high expectations for the iPhone Air. According to Kuo, Apple's third-quarter production volume for the Air is twice that of the iPhone 16 Plus year-on-year.