Kuo: iPhone 12 Pro Demand Higher Than Expected

[Geardo_Ranger]

kinda obvious when you jack up the price for 12 by 100 bucks, after matching the storage difference is only 120-150 depending on carrier.

This is not surprising to Apple because this was their more than likely their business plan. Once you upgrade the 12 to 128gb memory the difference in price is more or less acceptable to the common user. Majority will always choose the Pro for this reason.

 

[polyphenol]

The 5G is just what people need right now.

For myself, 5G is currently utterly irrelevant - except inasmuch as it has possibly justified a higher price for the 12 range. (Hence cost me more!)

There is no 5G here.

I cannot travel anywhere else that there is 5G due to a combination of Covid-19-based restrictions and a sense of self-preservation.

5G is only really of interest in two ways. First, future-proofing as I tend to hold onto phones for a long time. Second, if eventually 5G comes to this area and effectively helps fill gaps in 3G/4G.

 

[iDento]

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.

The weight difference is not a big deal with the small Pro while the durability is much better. RAM is no problem now, what about the nest 4 iOS updates? Will it run iOS 18 better if it has less or more RAM? The camera upgrade is minor or major depending on your usage, for some People the 3 cameras is actually way better than the only one in the XR.

 

[JM]

Apple money machine running full steam. No reason to buy 12, when you got 12 pro for $120 more. Genius.

Both 128 GB storage ($999 pro - $879 12 = $120)

the 12 seems like a terrible deal up against the pro.

 

[polyphenol]

Apple money machine running full steam. No reason to buy 12, when you got 12 pro for $120 more. Genius.

Both 128 GB storage ($999 pro - $879 12 = $120)

the 12 seems like a terrible deal up against the pro.

£849 against £999 in the UK. £150 difference. +17.7%

 

[iDento]

That’s me. I’m still on my launch iPhone 7 128GB JB and it’s working perfectly. Changed the battery 2 years ago and I’m going to keep it till next year when we hopefully hit the 120HZ. No need for me to upgrade this year. Phone is still blazing fast and getting 5 years out of a iPhone will feel awesome! I used to upgrade every 2 years but haven’t had to since my 7. I started with the 4 went to the 5,6 and now the 7. The 12 is great but the 120HZ screen is what is going to push me over the edge to upgrade.

I have the iPad Pro with 120 HZ and while it’s nice to have, I will not wait a whole year for it. What if iPhone 13 comes without 120 HZ!

 

[JM]

Bolded:

Kuo cited the 12 Mini would have weaker demand in the Chinese market, Even so, I think consumers have spoken, they want larger displays and bigger batteries, I can’t imagine any other reason why the Mini wouldn’t be sought after being consumers have migrated To being accustomed to having larger phones for viewing content. I think the mini will do well, but for a smaller segment demographic that want a smaller display and less battery life.

What demographic wants a smaller screen and smaller battery? 🤣 that's not what small phone lovers are after. Lol.

 

[JM]

iPhone 5C?

When the CEO of a company shows himself using the cheaper product in public and talks about how much he loves it... you know it isn't selling well.

I found it weird that Cook held up the blue 5c and talked about how much he loved it.

He's gets free phones. Why didn't he have the gold 5s? Silly Tim Cook.

 

[xalea]

I was going to get the mini but had to get the Pro to get the gold metal edge. I don't want some plastic-cheap edge color on my phone. I don't use cases, ever. Who would pay $1000 for a cheap looking phone? Apple isn't stupid, they knew what they were doing.

Plus, did I mention, gooooold?

 

[Scottsoapbox]

"...and the coming peak season demand in the US and Europe."

So the expectations didn't account for holiday demand? I find it hard to believe anyone is that incompetent.

 

[Agit21]

The lack of 120hz on the pro models might be the reason I’ll keep my X.

 

[Mr. Dee]

When the CEO of a company shows himself using the cheaper product in public and talks about how much he loves it... you know it isn't selling well.

I found it weird that Cook held up the blue 5c and talked about how much he loved it.

He's gets free phones. Why didn't he have the gold 5s? Silly Tim Cook.

Under business laws, he still has to buy his Apple products like everyone else. In fact, when I visited the Apple Store next to Apple Park, a store employee mentioned Tim shops there and even helped him with purchase decisions for his dad.

 

[davidwes]

I think most people are holding off on the mini till they can actually see it to make sure it's not to small. Plus the market for the mini is not the same as the pre-order first day market.

 

[polyphenol]

Does it make any sense to buy the iPhone 12 256gb? Or is it better to directly switch to the pro instead, but for half the storage (128)? There is like 80 eur of difference between both in Europe.

Afraid I don't get that question!

If you need 256GB, you surely wouldn't even consider 128GB, would you?

 

[JosephAW]

Can't wait for the mini order numbers

 

[snowatom]

I'm getting the iPhone 12 mini with 256GB, that's how serious I am. That phone will be used and handed down through my family for years to come. Unless there will be no iPhone 13 mini, then it stays in my hands

 

[brando123b]

I prefer a lighter device. Hence 12 for me. Plus the blue is better

 

[jfeathe]

I originally thought the 12 Pro was a big waste of money, until I realized the following three points:

1) 50% more RAM in the Pro (6GB vs 4GB)

2) Very bizarre pricing with the 12 and 12 mini with some carriers inexplicably $30 higher for those models

3) base Pro models with 128GB RAM

The camera improvements are not a selling point in any way for me. However, the 3 points above are huge deals and made me completely flip from the 12 to the 12 Pro.

 

[agffth]

Bolded:

Kuo cited the 12 Mini would have weaker demand in the Chinese market, Even so, I think consumers have spoken, they want larger displays and bigger batteries, I can’t imagine any other reason why the Mini wouldn’t be sought after being consumers have migrated To being accustomed to having larger phones for viewing content. I think the mini will do well, but for a smaller segment demographic that want a smaller display and less battery life.

No one WANTS less battery life. It's just a trade off for a smaller phone.

 

[Baymowe335]

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.

Clearly, you aren’t familiar with the average consumer.

 

[JM]

Under business laws, he still has to buy his Apple products like everyone else. In fact, when I visited the Apple Store next to Apple Park, a store employee mentioned Tim shops there and even helped him with purchase decisions for his dad.

Whoah, cool didn't know that.

imagine being the Apple store employee getting to help him buy something 😄

"uhh hello Mr. Cook. What kind of apps do you like using? How do you use your phone? Let me help you find the right product for you."

"thank you for being part of the Apple Family"

 

[xpxp2002]

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.

Yeah, I think that's premature of him to assume that this means anything for the 12 mini's sales performance -- it hasn't even been opened up for preorder yet! A lot of people who would otherwise buy a smaller iPhone have been put off by the SE's display, home button, and legacy tech (it usually launches with "last year's" CPU, has legacy cellular tech, less RAM, etc. to keep costs low). But based on the conversations I've had online and with friends, I think it's clear that there is an unanswered demand for a modern, feature-equivalent iPhone in a smaller package that fits into pockets and can be easily used one-handed.

In addition to consumers specifically seeking out a smaller iPhone, I think the lower price point balances out the compromise between the SE looking "dated" in the eyes of many average consumers (who probably just see the home button and bezels) and the 12 Pro models starting at $999. Moreover, with most people buying phones on payment plans, it'll be far easier for many consumers to justify a $12/mo or $15/mo payment on an iPhone that's, by all standards, superior to the SE.

 

[legacyb4]

I prefer a lighter device. Hence 12 for me. Plus the blue is better

Plus, it'll be nearly invisible underwater if it lands face-down on the bottom of the pool!

 

[MacStreamer]

This is only for preorders. I think once the dust settles and more regular customers continue to purchase that over time the 12 will move ahead of the 12 Pro.

 

[MacStreamer]

I went from a 5.5" 7+, to a 6.1" XR (for one year), to a 6.5" 11 Pro Max.

When I had the XR, I thought it was the perfect size.

When I got the 11 Pro Max, I still thought it (i.e., the XR) had the perfect size.

The extra DRAM in the 12 Pro is BIG, & "could be" a Game Changer for (certain) High Perf apps !

The 12 Pro is priced the same as the 11 Pro.

The 12 is priced $100 USD higher than the 11.

NOT surprised the 12 Pro is doing much better than expected.

NOT surprised the 12 isn't.

Were you expecting the 12 with 5G, OLED screen and new design to be priced the same as an 11 with LCD?

also the extra ram could be only for the 3 camera system.