Kuo: High Demand for iPhone 17 Models, But Questions Remain About iPhone Air

[MacRumors]

Apple's new iPhone 17 models are proving to be more popular than their predecessors over the first pre-order weekend, both in terms of production and delivery times, but major questions remain about the success of the iPhone Air, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a new post on X, Kuo said that preorder demand for the iPhone 17 lineup has outpaced last year's iPhone 16 models. iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max production for the third quarter of this year is approximately 25% higher than their predecessors last year, alongside stronger pre-order demand across all three models. The iPhone 17 Pro Max remains the most in-demand model; production is approximately 60% higher than that of the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The iPhone Air is the only model of the four new devices that is readily available at launch. While this superficially suggests even weaker demand than the iPhone 16 Plus saw last year, Kuo noted that production of the iPhone Air is set to be approximately 3x higher than that of the iPhone 16 Plus.

He added that there is no direct historical comparator for its positioning in the lineup, making it hard to assess how it will perform at this early stage. Kuo speculates that while the iPhone Air "doesn't look compelling on paper," the in-store hands-on experience could succeed in convincing customers to buy the device.

Article Link: Kuo: High Demand for iPhone 17 Models, But Questions Remain About iPhone Air

 

[CouldBeWorse]

Given that it’s not up for sale in China yet, we don’t know what its true demand is yet.

 

[aue123]

hopefully the Air bombs horribly, then Apple will finally realize the users want awesome battery and not some shmuck thin phone nobody asked for.

 

[F23]

I wanted the Air based on looks & color, but I think long term I would miss the features it’s lacking over the thinness.
Chose Pro for cameras, vapor chamber, battery, speakers.

 

[Stella]

Air has too many compromises for its form factor.

 

[darthbane2k]

hopefully the Air bombs horribly, then Apple will finally realize the users want awesome battery and not some shmuck thin phone nobody asked for.

Yeh lets hope we just get thicker, heavier , unwieldy bricks forever more... /s

 

[Fuzzball84]

When you compare it to other phones in the new lineup, and older models still available. It’s not exactly the next value for money. And if you need better battery life, then adding the battery pack just makes it into a regular sized iPhone.

It makes sense that most people will therefore go with the regular iPhone or the Pros until battery capacity and other limitations are less obvious.

To be honest the regular iPhones are such value for money that most will just go for them.

 

[Kendo]

hopefully the Air bombs horribly, then Apple will finally realize the users want awesome battery and not some shmuck thin phone nobody asked for.

Why can’t they do both? That’s like Toyota only coming out with a single SUV and not a sedan and minivan for people with different use cases.

 

[robvalentine]

I feel the Qir might be the new Mini, poor sales, but a vocal minority complaining when it's cut from the range.

 

[McWetty]

No dog in this fight as I’m not upgrading… but if I HAD to pick one, the 17 checks all the boxes now. The Air might edge it out based on hands-on experience, but I like having the extra lens. My wife would easily pick the Air.

 

[nvunge]

Once people go into store and hold the Air by themselves then it will be easier to make up their minds , im one of those people, i like the Air but need to hold for myself to then decide which one to go for.

 

[winxmac]

The iPhone Air is a working prototype for a future no-port iPhone.

As a user of Pro iPhone model, after learning about the iPhone 17 features, I'm convinced that it's not a bad phone and I might consider it as an upgrade to my iPhone 11 Pro Max.

 

[2low_tech]

I suspect the Air will sell better when folks can get their hands on it. The pros always do well on pre-orders because the enthusiasts jump on them. I ordered the Air on Sunday and I am picking it up this Saturday, but the bumper case is backlogged!

 

[Chancha]

This gives me hope that months later the Air will be so deeply discounted to the point of worth trying.

 

[Havalo]

Anyone getting anything other than the base model 17 has got too much money to waste. You’ve everything you want in the base model - personal opinion.

 

[SAIRUS]

The fact that the Air is a gimped device at least in terms of cellular (UWB). It would feel like a step back for most US people.

I do think the way they handled the Pro series too in terms of colors and premium feel might have an impact. While it has more memory and better cameras, it lost the executive feel.

So it feels like Apple is no longer leading with the Pro series and the base model in fact is the bargain.

 

[Deej]

I was ready to buy a new iPhone on Friday - couldn’t decide between the Air and the 17 Pro. But the thing that put me off is the currency parity, making the devices effectively more expensive in the UK than USA. So I thought I’d save myself the money and stick with what I’ve got.

 

[ralph_sws]

Ladies prefer air

 

[tomtad]

I’m not buying the Air until:

A: reviews are out so concerns with things like battery life and speaker volume can be allayed

B: had time to pick it up in person to see if it’s worth the extra £200 from the regular 17

And I’m sure there’s many who will be doing the same

 

[snipr125]

hopefully the Air bombs horribly, then Apple will finally realize the users want awesome battery and not some shmuck thin phone nobody asked for.

Give the phone a chance, at least they are trying something different.

 

[ralph_sws]

I suspect the Air will sell better when folks can get their hands on it. The pros always do well on pre-orders because the enthusiasts jump on them. I ordered the Air on Sunday and I am picking it up this Saturday, but the bumper case is backlogged!

this Kuo guy wrote it

 

[JtheLemur]

Who are these people carrying bricks around in their pants

 

[Jerus]

Maybe the the people who preorder iPhones are more into some models than others?

 

[Marty80]

Like many others i agree the air has compromised too much for form over function.

I feel most consumers will opt for the regular iPhone 17 & the iPhone Pro Models.

Based on photos and videos the air has a more premium feel than the pro. But my heart always lies in the Pro max.

 

[ralph_sws]

hopefully the Air bombs horribly, then Apple will finally realize the users want awesome battery and not some shmuck thin phone nobody asked for.

Luckily, you don't decide about it 😂