Apple introduced the iPhone 16 series last week, and the new models were eagerly anticipated by technology enthusiasts. However, the initial sales data following the launch showed that the Pro models did not attract the expected interest. According to analyses based on the supply chain and Apple’s online store data by renowned technology analyst Ming-Chi Kuo , the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models fell well below expected sales figures in their first weekend. The series totalled about 37 million units, which indicates a decline of approximately 13% compared to the same period last year. This decline was most significantly attributed to a 27% decrease in the Pro model and a 16% decrease in the Pro Max model.
Decrease in Demand for Pro Models and Increased Interest in New Model
According to Kuo, the main reason for this decline is the decreased demand for Pro models. As a result, interest in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models increased. The iPhone 16 model saw a 10% increase, selling 7.3 million units, while the iPhone 16 Plus experienced a 48% increase, selling 2.6 million units. However, these increases still did not fully compensate for the decline in the Pro models. Additionally, the fact that artificial intelligence features were not directly available in the iPhone 16 series also drew criticism. Apple announced that users would need to wait for the iOS 18.1 update coming in October to access these features. This situation was met with backlash from customers and likely negatively impacted sales. These developments raise curiosity about what strategy Apple will adopt in the coming period.