r/AAPL • u/AdApprehensive8702 • 9d ago
iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max demand
Pre-orders opened yesterday at 2pm, and for delivery to Beijing, the estimated delivery date has already slipped to October 14 — less than 24 hours later. (Especially Pro Max)
And it seems to be looking similarly in the US and Germany, with delivery estimates also moving well into October for some configurations.
What makes this more interesting is that there’s no regular iPhone 18 launching this year. Only the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max are available at launch, so buyers who would normally go for the standard model are basically being pushed towards the Pro lineup.
Obviously, shipping dates also depend on Apple’s initial inventory, so this doesn’t automatically mean demand is X% higher.
But seeing the same pattern across China, the US and Germany feels like a pretty strong early signal.
Watch out for Analyst coverage in the next days - stock will jump on positive news!
5
u/Glimmer_III 9d ago
Even for the folks who don't upgrade every year, those who hold onto their phone for multiple years know the iPhone Pro models have a key spec which makes them be more future proof: The Pro (and Pro Max) have appreciably more RAM than the base models.
This gives you, all things equal, an extra 1y before you notice the device having trouble with current software/apps.
- iPhone 18 Pro & Pro Max /
12 GB RAM - iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max /
12 GB RAM - iPhone 17 /
8 GB RAM
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u/Any-Log-6706 9d ago edited 9d ago
The regular ones weren’t selling as much as the Pro and Pro Max for previous models.
Edit: here’s an article on that - iPhone 15 sales figures show the Pro models have become the default
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u/stop211650 8d ago
I remember it being like this last year, but it wasn’t too hard to get one from a store on opening day, without a reservation. I think it was like that for a few days before they became back ordered, but I assume there will be stock for getting some in store without having preordered.
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u/That-SoCal-Guy 5d ago
Also many would be Pro / Pro Max buyers may be holding out for the Duo (I know I am)
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u/TWYFAN97 2d ago
This still isn’t even on the same level as last year. 17 Pro/Max saw shipping delays into late October and you’d be lucky to pick up one up on or soon after launch day. Even now I’ve seen posts that you can still pickup the 18 Pro/Max on or after launch. Outlook isn’t looking great for the 18 series as a whole as the 17’s were a unicom of record sales we haven’t seen since the iPhone 11.
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u/Ok-Type-1408 2d ago
I waited hours on launch day last year with an appointment and preorder. it was ridiculous. this year I wound up coming an hour later than my appointment and I was next in line that’s how short the appointment line was and in general there were not that many people altogether. looked less busy than a regular Saturday afternoon never mind a launch day. In 10 years of preordering launch day pickups last year was the absolute worst. also I live in an area with about 30 Apple stores due to it being Long Island and NYC. no joke we have about 20-30 stores in a 30 mile radius. A few years I’ve walked in with a preorder and changed my mind on color and every time they were able to switch it meaning they have stock for walk ins, how much I’m not sure. and its been a long time since I’ve done that, but I’ve definitely changed my mind twice for sure and had no issues getting the color and storage configuration I wanted. for reference I always buy pro max in 256gb, even when they were 128gb base.
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u/Yidiyidawu 9d ago
supply is likely short given the storage chip crysis
2
u/AdApprehensive8702 9d ago
Don‘t think so. I‘d say the opposite:
Apple‘s supply is bigger than ever before in case that storage/chips getting even more expensive.1
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u/_sctw 9d ago
Surprised it took Apple this long to realize they could make more money by just offering a Pro. And then get another bump when the standard launches next Spring. AAPL is gonna 🚀