Weekend preorder demand for the iPhone 17 family outpaced last year’s iPhone 16, says TF International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. As per Apple’s production estimates, the analyst says the Pro Max model remains the undisputed demand leader.
The strong iPhone 17 preorder should help boost Apple’s Q3 2025 results.
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads Apple’s preorder rush
Apple started accepting preorders for the iPhone 17, iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro lineup on September 12. Based on the delivery time estimates, the iPhone 17 Pro Max was the first to sell out. Its delivery times slipped to mid-October within an hour of preorders going live. In contrast, demand for the new iPhone Air was far more subdued. It was listed for launch-day delivery even 48 hours after preorders began.
In a post on X, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared his take on iPhone 17 family preorder sales performance following the first weekend.
According to him, Apple will manufacture 25% more iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max units in Q3 2025 compared to the same period last year. When combined with delivery lead times of about a week, it points to strong preorder demand across all three models.
Apple has seen strong demand for its Pro Max models in recent years. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is in the same boat. The company will seemingly produce over 60% more builds than 2024’s iPhone 16 Pro Max.
iPhone Air might sell better in retail stores
A lack of additional wait time might signal that the iPhone Air’s demand is softer than the iPhone 16 Plus was at this time last year. However, Kuo says Apple will make almost 3x more iPhone Air units in Q3 2025 than the iPhone 16 Plus. Since the Air is a new model in the lineup, a proper assessment of its demand is only possible over a longer period.
It’s also important to note that Apple delayed the iPhone Air’s preorder and launch in China, one of its biggest markets. That delay likely skewed the early availability picture. It is making the Air appear less in demand globally than it might actually be once sales begin in China.
Kuo also believes that while the iPhone Air might not look impressive on paper, it’s the hands-on experience in retail stores that will make consumers pick it up.
Rajesh has been closely following and writing about the latest happenings in the world of mobile for nearly a decade now. While he prefers Android, he does not deny the superiority of Apple’s products and ecosystem.
