Kuo: iPhone 12 Pro Demand Higher Than Expected

[Lefteous]

I think you are gonna love FaceID, and seeing a great benefit of no wasted space on the phone size (all screen). Of cause this is not taking the Covid19 and face masks issue in consideration, that makes FaceID suck big time. But at some point the world will get back to "normal".

Although one can always expect more from a new generation (120hz, lager batteries) there is really one thing that could stop me from buying an iPhone 12. TouchID. As Apple has integrated it in the power iPad Air button button, it should have find its way into the iPhone 12. I really hope the iPhone 12s will feature it. FaceID is a great alternative but not a replacement for me.

 

[G3Blue]

I wanted the mini but I have to have the pro because I use the telephoto lens all the time on my previous X and now 8 plus. Then once you bump the storage up from the 12 you might as well get the pro. Also the pro has dual OIS and 5 times faster OIS than the 11 Pro.

 

[JPack]

Kuo: iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max Have Accounted for Combined 55% of Pre-Orders

Yesterday, noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max pre-orders have been better than expected so...

www.macrumors.com

That includes the 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. So of course the two would outsell the regular 11.

This year the 12 Pro alone outsold the regular 12.

Kuo: iPhone 11 demand better than expectations, stronger interest for new color options - 9to5Mac

Respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo released a report late on Sunday that said he believes iPhone 11 and iPhone 11...

9to5mac.com

 

[twinlight]

Obviously people buy for future proofing. My mom would go for something less. Like an android or last years models. Myself would not go for less than Pro max.
I belive I’ll be fine with 128 GB thou. Not that many pictures and movies today and only using 55 GB on my 7+.
I think I will get an Apple One subscription in the future and 200 GB iCloud so no problem for the next 5 years.

 

[bklement]

I think you are gonna love FaceID, and seeing a great benefit of no wasted space on the phone size (all screen). Of cause this is not taking the Covid19 and face masks issue in consideration, that makes FaceID suck big time. But at some point the world will get back to "normal".

Exactly the all-screen design plus the aspect ratio is my problem. When I had enough with big phones I had a 16:9 5.5" android. The height of that screen was 122 mm. The height of the mini's screen is 125 mm. My thumb didn't got bigger.

 

[cambookpro]

That includes the 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. So of course the two would outsell the regular 11.

This year the 12 Pro alone outsold the regular 12.

Kuo: iPhone 11 demand better than expectations, stronger interest for new color options - 9to5Mac

Respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo released a report late on Sunday that said he believes iPhone 11 and iPhone 11...

9to5mac.com

I don't really understand your point - this year, demand for the 'Pro' is higher than expected. Last year, demand for the 'Pro' was higher than expected. That's the only point I was making, that demand for the high-end phones is consistently higher than predicted.

That article seems to be talking about 'iPhone 11 demand' as 'iPhone 11 series demand'. It doesn't explicitly say the standard 11 was a lot higher than expected.

 

[kjell]

For people wanting a 6.1" device, the small price difference will push them towards the pro. A lot of my friends / colleagues are waiting out for the mini though. Most of them owning X/XS/11Pro but wanting a smaller device for a long time. With edge to edge oled screen in this compact size, and relative low price tag, I think the mini is gonna be this years hit!

 

[JPack]

I don't really understand your point - this year, demand for the 'Pro' is higher than expected. Last year, demand for the 'Pro' was higher than expected. That's the only point I was making, that demand for the high-end phones is consistently higher than predicted.

Last year, the iPhone 11 outsold the iPhone 11 Pro in China on launch weekend. That was unexpected. This year, the iPhone 12 Pro outsold the iPhone 12 according to Kuo. That's a big change given China represents 35-45% of global demand, again according to Kuo.

Kuo: iPhone 11 demand better than expectations, stronger interest for new color options - 9to5Mac

Respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo released a report late on Sunday that said he believes iPhone 11 and iPhone 11...

9to5mac.com

 

[snowatom]

Exactly the all-screen design plus the aspect ratio is my problem. When I had enough with big phones I had a 16:9 5.5" android. The height of that screen was 122 mm. The height of the mini's screen is 125 mm. My thumb didn't got bigger.

Well, then you have already made a decision, based on earlier experiences. Based on that, the iPhone 12 mini will not be for you. Sadly there are no iPhone at this point, that will meet your requirements. And the updates for the iPhone SE (1. gen) is over. No iOS 15 for that phone.

 

[ani4ani]

More consumers wanting the Pro suggests people want more camera features and don't mind the weight. The mini is the opposite of that. Fewer camera features and a smaller display.

iPhone 12 mini doesn't even have dual physical SIM. That feature is a must have for Chinese customers.

I was interested in the mini and in the end, the small battery and the like of dual physical SIM swayed me away. Not to start a flame war, but the relatively large bezels look disproportionately large on the smaller phone also (as does the notch).

Ill stick with what I’ve got for now

 

[cambookpro]

Last year, the iPhone 11 outsold the iPhone 11 Pro in China on launch weekend. That was unexpected. This year, the iPhone 12 Pro outsold the iPhone 12 according to Kuo. That's a big change given China represents 35-45% of global demand, again according to Kuo.

Kuo: iPhone 11 demand better than expectations, stronger interest for new color options - 9to5Mac

Respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo released a report late on Sunday that said he believes iPhone 11 and iPhone 11...

9to5mac.com

OK, I see what you mean, it is interesting that the Pro is more popular in China this year. Though I think this report and Kuo's report last year (and the year before...) show that sales performance of high-end iPhones - especially during preorder - is consistently underestimated, especially in the US & Europe.

I fully expect the standard 12 to be more popular over its lifecycle than the Pro, just the demand to be flatter at the start.

 

[matrix07]

This is specifically about the Pro vs the non-pro. So in this case non-pro demand was lower than expected.

arn

Guess it’s because the price difference isn’t much.

 

[ksec]

Well I also think "Kuo" might be off about the iPhone Mini percentages coming up.

He knows the supply chain etc, I am sure, but he already is saying he was wrong about the 12 vs 12 Pro with a lot more of the more expensive 12 pro selling. He now says the mini will represent 15% only? I am doubting that. I think there has been a lot of people wanting a smaller powerful iPhone. That mini is VERY tempting. Big screen and small form factor. Very nice. Some people will really go wild for that one, and it's great that Apple is offering such a wide variety this time around.

What Kuo is really saying is that the Volume of iPhone in China right now suggest the volume of iPhone Mini is going to be much smaller than he initially anticipated or estimated. So he is reducing the total ( Worldwide ) number with those new number.

The Mini will sell well in most part of the world, just not China. And China is a very big market for Apple, so their initial number needs to be taken into future sales forecast adjustment.

 

[iSayuSay]

OK, I see what you mean, it is interesting that the Pro is more popular in China this year. Though I think this report and Kuo's report last year (and the year before...) show that sales performance of high-end iPhones - especially during preorder - is consistently underestimated, especially in the US & Europe.

I fully expect the standard 12 to be more popular over its lifecycle than the Pro, just the demand to be flatter at the start.

I think it's because the Pro this year isn't just about triple camera or shiny steel frame. With the same price, it offers 128GB base storage instead of 64GB on the 12 (last year both started at 64GB). It's no longer an "easy choice" for most people as you also get more bang on the base 12 Pro. More RAM, more storage, more camera, LiDAR, and of course overall better build.

Unless 64GB is good enough, most people should just jump with the Pros.

 

[mheevariety]

The headline and Kuo's quote says iPhone 12 Pro, but I can only find the numbers for iPhone 12, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max in the article, am I missing anything?
[automerge]1603094604[/automerge]
The headline and Kuo's quote says iPhone 12 Pro, but I can only find the numbers for iPhone 12, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max in the article, am I missing anything?

 

[CJM]

Apple marketing have done their job then and managed to upsell you all to the Pro.
The reality is that it's pretty gross the 12 costs $100 more than last year.

 

[AlexESP]

Many times we want to think that our wishes are the reality. And, although if they’ve made it’s because there’s some market for small phones, the vast majority of people want a giant screen.

 

[Whathappened]

The majority of people aren’t changing their phones each year, not even each two years and they want to future proof their phones for at least 3 to 4 years before upgrading to a newer one.

Stainless steel, more ram and a better camera setup helps with that and apparently they have no problem paying the price difference.

stainless steel is heavy. RAM is nothing to care about since an iPhone XR still shows top notch performance and the camera setup is a minor upgrade for those portraits in the dark that most people never do.

 

[polyphenol]

Exactly, it's pure math. If you're going to try to keep the phone for at least a couple of years, you'll need to bump up the storage, so why not spend 120-150 more and get a better device?

Not at all sure I agree with you there!

I have a 16GB iPhone 6s. It struggles. Especially come IOS update time. But it does still work.

64GB would have seemed like Elysian fields. There have been a lot of posts saying that few really need more than 64GB. (Though there are certainly some people who have requirements that are much greater.) What is coming that will need double that?

At the same time, I do agree the idea that the incremental cost of the 12 Pro is small enough to choose it for many reasons. But I don't see why the phone's life (in itself) impacts storage capacity?

You can see I don't swap often! (My previous smart phone was a Galaxy S II!) And yes, I have gone for the 12 Pro.

 

[Royksöpp]

I completely changed my mind about the 128gb 12 I ordered. I didn’t realize that the Pro combined both ProRaw and deep fusion. That was an instant sell for me. The extra ram is a nice bonus as well. I figured what is a measly $130 difference? I already spent that much money on accessories anyways. Unfortunately I’m going to have to wait at least 3 weeks now for the Pro. After I receive my refund I will order the 12 Pro. I would order it sooner, but I have to wait for for my gift cards to be refunded as well. In the meantime I ordered another standard 12 to use in the meantime. Ahhh... why didn’t I just go Pro right away?!

 

[iSayuSay]

stainless steel is heavy. RAM is nothing to care about since an iPhone XR still shows top notch performance and the camera setup is a minor upgrade for those portraits in the dark that most people never do.

Well LiDAR might change your mind if you take a lot of photos, even if you're just a casual photographer. My old 7+ could use a bit faster autofocus despite has dual lens. For example it struggles scanning a document in a moderate lighting, took a few moments just to make the text sharp. It can be a big problem if you need to shoot critical moments.

I suspect the 12 cameras wouldn't be much faster than my 7+ autofocus. But with LiDAR sensor, that'd be a different story.

 

[polyphenol]

stainless steel is heavy.

25 grams. 12 Pro is just that heavier than the 12.

Bearing in mind that not all those grams are because of stainless steel. Some might be for camera. No idea if RAM and storage will make a signficant difference.

 

[bryn0076]

Actually, I disagree, I think it’s the complete opposite. Just because consumers aren’t traveling, or spending money, there likely conserving more versus spending, given the uncertainty of the economy has been completely up and down in North America. These are uncertain times for quite a few different occupations, and I think you have a lot of consumers who are ‘watchful waiting‘ to see where the economy rebounds, which transcends into they’re likely rationing their money versus actually spending it on $1000 smart phones.

Actually, it doesn't matter if you agree or not. The article we're commenting on doesn't support your position.
Do you have access to data Ming Chi-Kuo doesn't ?

 

[Mildredop]

I've ordered an iPhone 12 - my first iPhone in 11 years.

For me, it's because iPhone appears to have reached "peak Android". There's really very little difference now between iOS and Android. Add the OLED screen, the fact it'll work nicely with my Mac and it felt like the right time to give it a go.

 

[mazz0]

This is the forecast that matters more than the one from the Taiwanese carrier. Kuo knows the supply chain better than probably anyone else other than the folks at Apple.

I'm surprised he expects such weak demand for the 12 Mini. I guess people like me are in a minority, so it's a good thing I'm not in the business of designing things that cater to consumer tastes.

On the bright side, maybe this means we'll have no problem ordering one on day 1!

(I say on the bright side because the obvious dark side is that low sales may discourage them from making smaller ones again in future)

Edit: On the other hand perhaps it will persuade Apple that people want small phones, but not necessarily low-end phones, so they'll do a small Pro in future! It's the hope that kills you (as I'm told British people say by Ted Lasso, though I've been British all my life and have never heard that phrase before)...