In the era of perpetual technological innovation, Apple’s announcement of the iPhone 16 had generated great anticipation among consumers and industry experts alike. With the integration of new AI-powered features, the Cupertino firm aimed to revolutionize the smartphone market once again. However, early pre-order sales estimates have highlighted a weaker than expected start for Apple’s latest flagship.
After years of sluggish iPhone sales and a lack of compelling reasons for consumers to upgrade, Apple was banking on the success of the iPhone 16. In the past, loyal Apple fans would rush to upgrade their devices almost every year, but those days seem to be over. With the introduction of 5G connectivity on the iPhone 12, Apple hoped to woo consumers again with a series of new software features that incorporated AI.
Despite the spectacular launch events, it is still unclear whether Apple has managed to fully convince consumers of the appeal of the iPhone 16’s new features. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF International Securities, estimated sales for the first weekend of iPhone 16 preorders reached just 37 million units, down more than 12% from the same period last year. In particular, demand for the high-end iPhone 16 Pro models has declined significantly compared to the iPhone 15 launch.
After a week of preorders, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives estimated sales slightly higher at around 40 million units, while Angelo Zino of CFRA Research reported a year-over-year decline for the period.
What could be of concern for Apple is consumer choice within the iPhone 16 lineup. Indeed, there appears to be a strong preference for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models over the Pro and Pro Max versions, which could impact the average selling price and overall iPhone sales revenue.
The greater enthusiasm for the base models of the iPhone 16 could be explained by significant improvements, particularly in terms of cameras and internal processors. This dynamic may reflect the fact that the standard models already offer very competitive features, calling into question the attractiveness of the premium models.
While the pre-order reception of the iPhone 16 provides some preliminary indications, it is essential to understand that the added value of the new AI-based features does not yet appear to be widely perceived by consumers. It will likely take time for the “Apple Intelligence” technology to find its way into users’ daily habits, which could potentially be a game changer in the smartphone market.
Ultimately, it is clear that the iPhone sales landscape is constantly evolving and that forecasts based on pre-orders cannot be considered absolute indicators of success. The technology industry remains unpredictable and subject to rapid change. It will be interesting to follow the evolution of iPhone 16 sales in the coming months and observe how consumers will adopt the new innovations offered by Apple in this latest model.