iPhone 17 Standard Model Production Boosted Due to High Demand
It seems like Apple might have hit a sweet spot with the standard iPhone 17. Recent reports indicate that they're ramping up production because demand is surprisingly high. Apparently, pre-orders went so well that Apple has asked suppliers to increase daily output by a hefty 30 percent.
What's interesting to me is how this might reflect on the sales of the other models, particularly the Pro versions. The iPhone 17 is priced at $799, sitting comfortably below the iPhone Air ($200 cheaper) and the iPhone 17 Pro ($300 less). With features like a 120Hz refresh rate and Always-On display trickling down to the standard model, it's possible that people are finding less reason to shell out extra for the Pro.
If the iPhone 17 Pro isn't selling as well as anticipated, that could affect Apple's profit margins and revenue for the quarter. In fact, before the launch, Apple planned for the Pro models to make up 65% of the production. The standard got 25% and the Air only 10%.
Apple has been trying to find a fourth model that resonates with buyers. We saw it with the "mini" iPhones, which didn't quite take off. Then came the "Plus" models, offering a larger screen but similar features to the standard. Those didn't fly off the shelves either. Now, we have the super slim "Air" model, with Apple hoping a fresh design will draw people in.
There's a snag, though. The iPhone Air isn't yet available in China due to some eSIM regulatory hurdles. Consequently, it's plausible that more Chinese consumers are choosing the standard iPhone 17. It'll be intriguing to see how this all plays out in the long run, as Apple is known to tweak its production forecasts based on weekly sales data.
Source: Mac Rumors