Kuo: iPhone 14 Plus Pre-Orders Worse Than iPhone 13 Mini, Product Strategy 'Fails'

[MacRumors]

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus have seen "bad" pre-order results, indicating that Apple's positioning of the two new standard models may have failed, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In his latest post on Medium, Kuo explained that the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max have seen "neutral" and "good" pre-order results compared to the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Delivery wait times of more than four weeks may indicate good demand for the new high-end devices. It is apparently "unclear" whether Apple will increase shipment forecasts of its Pro models, but there is a "growing" chance that it will cut orders of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, which currently account for around 45 percent of the entire lineup's shipments.

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are expected to be in stock in retail stores on their launch dates, "reflecting lackluster demand." As it stands, Kuo says that the pre-order results for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are worse than those of the third-generation iPhone SE and the iPhone 13 mini. He noted that Apple cut orders of both the third-generation iPhone SE and the iPhone 13 mini in the first half of 2022 due to low demand.

If demand for the two standard models do not improve, Apple may cut iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus orders as soon as November. Suppliers who are not major beneficiaries of Apple's iPhone 14 Pro models will likely see the start of declining revenue in September and October as a result.

For iPhone 14 Plus, in particular, the "pre-order result is significantly lower than expected." As a model that effectively replaces the "mini" form factor in the latest iPhone lineup, with 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch display sizes now being the only options, Kuo said that "Apple's product segmentation strategy for standard models fails this year."

All four of the iPhone 14 models were announced by Apple last week and have been available to pre-order since September 9. The iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max are set to launch on Friday, September 16, and the iPhone 14 Plus will launch on Friday, October 7.


Article Link: Kuo: iPhone 14 Plus Pre-Orders Worse Than iPhone 13 Mini, Product Strategy 'Fails'

 

[eilavid]

it failed because the price went up by 260 euros

 

[DMG35]

Honestly not surprised by this. Buy a 13 Pro Max instead.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Apple makes the same phone 2 years in a row and they wonder why nobody wants it if they make it a little bigger?

 

[solarmon]

I don’t want to have to buy new pants with bigger pockets, just to carry my phone. I will, however, buy the 13 mini before it goes away.

 

[WillyVelsen]

Apple keeps failing with these project. Most people who wanted a mini iPhone would want it with the pro camera’s.. that why that model failed in sales.. and most people who would of liked a cheaper new plus model dont like to be having to buy a year old processor all of the sudden.

 

[WiiDSmoker]

13 to the 14 is basically the same phone. Glad it’s failing.

 

[Doebldodl]

In my place, iPhone 14 is 200 EUR more expensive than iPhone 13, with a very small set of new features. That's hard to justify.

 

[JustSomebody12]

it failed because the price went up by 260 euros

Without innovating too much.

The iPhone 14 Pro got too much edge over the 14 "smooth", and those who can afford to spend will get the Pro, those who aim at economical convenience will hold another year, or they will but a 13 (Pro).

 

[parajba]

Well, higher price but same spec as last year’s model, people are not stupid.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

iPhone 12 mini launched at €829 two years ago. Today Apple kept 12 mini around for a third year. Price? €829. iPhone 14 (not the Pro) base price? As cheap as €1,029. Two rear cameras, man. Meanwhile, all Apple execs are worth over $100M and Timmy is worth more than $1B. I think capitalism is the best system we have, but greed is greed is greed.

 

[icymountain]

It is still early to tell whether it is a success or a failure.

As I observe the 13 and 14 are very similar in terms of features, I miss a 14 mini less than I thought I would and would just get a 13 mini if my current phone died. But that also made me think of another possible strategy, that would be suitable to more people: for each generation add to the "regular" model either a "plus" or a "mini" and alternate which one is updated. That would let people have a larger choice of sizes possibly at the cost of getting last year's version, but given that the differences are less and less meaningful that should not matter too much anyway.

 

[jamesjingyi]

I think this is because:

• 90%+ of pre-orders on launch day are for the 14 Pro/Pro Max as these are the enthusiasts who must have the best — the mini was actually somewhat something that was desired by this same market
• Later launch date than the other models, meaning if you want something for launch day, you won't get it

I have a feeling that the Plus will sell really well on contracts or when people come to upgrade as and when. The battery life is going to be insane.

 

[WillyVelsen]

The mini shouldnt have been made as the “cheapest new iphone” with the 12 and 13. The niche market are mostly people who want the small iphone with the three best camera’s.. not the people who think give me the smallest because its the cheapest.

 

[JetBlack7]

it failed because the price went up by 260 euros

Yup. As soon as I saw the prices in Portugal, I was shocked.

 

[Rychiar]

Who would want it?

 

[MacDevil7334]

Seems to validate the theory that the Mini failed because Apple forced people to choose between size and Pro features. I would have bought a Mini Pro in a heartbeat.

 

[svenning]

Never really understood this line either. It would make sense if they stopped selling last years model, but since they keep selling them I don't really see the point....

The whole iPhone lineup is getting so confusing IMO with this pro/non pro bs. Just have one model in different sizes an be done with it. Thank you bye...

also... Just make a mini pro and I'm sure that will sell like hot cakes...

 

[Haiku_Oezu]

Where is Ming-Chi Kuo getting these numbers from?
I’m not saying it’s not true but how is he getting the figures exactly?

Personally I would be game for the 14 Plus if I upgraded this year, I don’t particularly need any of the Pro features in my Pro Max, I mostly got it for the bigger screen.

 

[racingbull]

1. basically the same Phone, so no compelling argument to attract customers.

2. The price point across the entire line-up: just greedy and cheeky.

MPOV

 

[Saladin12]

It’s because of their pricing strategy. Why buy a 14 Plus when you can get Pro (albeit smaller) for 100 more.

They should have put the Plus at the price of the normal 14 and the 14 at a 100 less (so directly replaced last years line-up and kept the same prices). I guarantee if Apple did this they’d see the Plus outsell the 6.1 14.

Oh and yes, the rest of the world has seen an unbelievable price increase so that will also play a part. Those who buy the pros are less likely to scoff at a price increase unlike the target market for the stand 14s.

 

[MLVC]

I think this is because:

• 90%+ of pre-orders on launch day are for the 14 Pro/Pro Max as these are the enthusiasts who must have the best — the mini was actually somewhat something that was desired by this same market
• Later launch date than the other models, meaning if you want something for launch day, you won't get it

I have a feeling that the Plus will sell really well on contracts or when people come to upgrade as and when. The battery life is going to be insane.

This. Early adopters, the "must have it on launch day" people, go for the Pro models. It's been like this every year.

 

[dohspc]

The iPhone 14 Plus 512GB is 1199 vs the iPhone 14 Pro Max 512GB at 1399 (US Store) 200 more isn't much of a climb for an iPhone with a lot more features.

 

[vegetassj4]

The economy isn’t exactly the best right now either.

Goldman’s Apple Card business has a surprising subprime problem​

 

[nerdAFK]

Well deserved muted reaction