Standard iPhone 17 Outperforms Expectations as Apple Ramps Up Manufacturing

[MacRumors]

Apple is increasing production on the standard iPhone 17 due to unexpected demand for the device, reports The Information. Following a strong pre-order weekend, Apple told two suppliers to increase daily iPhone 17 output by at least 30 percent.

The iPhone 17 is priced starting at $799, and it is $200 cheaper than the iPhone Air. It's $300 less than the iPhone 17 Pro, which now starts at $1,099. This year, the iPhone 17 got "Pro" features with the addition of a 120Hz refresh rate and Always-On display technology, plus it is the same size as the 17 Pro at 6.3 inches.

According to The Information, Apple's decision to increase iPhone 17 production suggests that the iPhone 17 Pro models are not selling as well as usual this year. If that's the case, it could have consequences for Apple's gross margin and September quarter revenue.

Ahead of the iPhone 17 launch, Apple allocated 25 percent of its iPhone 17 production to the standard model, 10 percent to the Air, and 65 percent to the Pro and Pro Max, as those are typically Apple's best-selling devices.

The standard iPhone and the two Pro models have been staples in Apple's iPhone line, but the company has struggled to find a fourth model that draws consumer interest. It started with the "mini" iPhones that were smaller than the iPhone 17. Those didn't sell as well as expected, so Apple moved on to the "Plus" size, offering standard iPhone features paired with a larger display. The Plus iPhone sales were also disappointing, so Apple has now moved to the ultra thin Air, and the company is hoping that a fresh design will lure customers into upgrading.

The iPhone Air is not yet available in China because of regulatory issues with the eSIM-only design. As a result, more Chinese customers may be opting for the standard iPhone 17.

Apple updates its device forecasts on a weekly basis, so the mix of iPhone models that suppliers are asked to prioritize could shift.

Article Link: Standard iPhone 17 Outperforms Expectations as Apple Ramps Up Manufacturing

 

[Paddle1]

The base model really is a good value this year.

 

[m1mini]

This is literally the best iPhone deal of the last decade. 799 is equilavent of 650 2019 dollars. which wouldnt even get you an iphone 11!

If only they made a 1TB SKU.

Sage is the third best iPhone color after Alpine Green 13 Pro's and Green 13's

 

[svish]

The base 17 model is now a perfect phone. Think the only reason to buy a Pro is to have better camera (zoom lens) and the Pro Max for bigger screen and better camera (zoom). Otherwise I think the normal 17 is the phone to buy. Will easily recommend this one. The sage color is also nice. Blue could have been a bit brighter.

 

[Andres Cantu]

With the regular model being really good for the first time since probably the 12, and with the Air being the new novelty, the Pros will sell less than in years past, I would think.

Not to mention the higher price of the regular Pro model should lower demand, and thus, lower the iPhone average selling price.

 

[N0ughtsAndCr0sses]

I believe even next year it’ll be a success for the price.

 

[mrmod]

not surprising. spec wise there isn't much difference between the standard and pros this year.

 

[MilaM]

A lot of customers are probably upgrading from older base models.

I will be upgrading from a 13 later this year. Just waiting (patiently) for some discounts.

 

[m1mini]

I believe even next year it’ll be a success for the price.

It would still sell so much for 699 in 2026, they would have to bring down the potential 17e's price to 499.


Now I understand why they might release the regular 18 and 18e mid 2027 instead of Sept 2026

 

[joloriquelme]

The base 17 is one of the best iPhones ever made in terms of price/features.

The 17 Pro models are the ugliest iPhones ever made. Even, having skipped gray and dark colors are one of Apple’s dumbest decision in years.

Did you imagine an orange MacBook Pro or iPad Pro? Absurd.

 

[gustaw94]

The iPhone 17 is very good model to switch from previous generations and cost the same as iPhone 16 (3999 PLN) with bigger 256 GB memory. Other models have price increse for increse memory storage. In Poland there is big price gap between basic and Pro version (1800 PLN) so I am also thinking about upgrading my 14 Pro to the basic 17. Only stopping me next year fold model but price will be insane for outside of US members🥲 One more camera and RAW files for basic users in not enough for paying almost 50% more. I also will probably switch my mother basic 11 finally as 120 Hz, always-on-display and bigger storage. Apple Inteligence doesn't work here so I don't care as Siri also doesn't know polish.

 

[L92]

Turns out if you give customers what they’ve been asking for all these years, instead of drip-feeding tiny updates, they actually buy it. Who knew?

 

[bmark]

Base iPhone 17 is the only reasonably priced iPhone released!

 

[Paddle1]

It would still sell so much for 699 in 2026, they would have to bring down the potential 17e's price to 499.


Now I understand why they might release the regular 18 and 18e mid 2027 instead of Sept 2026

Yes, something to think about is that rumors say Apple isn't going to release a new base model until 2027, knowing that the iPhone 17 is supposed to stand alongside the 18 Pro and Pro Max as well as the foldable it starts to make sense why it seems to be unusually good.

 

[JoshuaBru]

The 17 over delivered and as a result made the 17 Pro feel like it under delivered imo. I’m shocked they didn’t update the main camera sensor. Reviews from photographers are saying picture quality shows barely any noticeable improvements from the 16 Pro last year. Just crazy.

 

[MrArthegor]

For most people, the standard iPhone is always the answer, and this year it’s more true than ever. The Pro addition is great for tech-savvy people or niche usage, but most people don’t use telephoto lenses or apps that require the Ax Pro chips.

 

[bluecoast]

It’s an incredible deal.

The only criticism is the boring colours after last year’s - I think this is deliberate.

But if you can look past the colours - use a case! - the regular iPhone has never been better.

I’d add that I think they the se3 is the watch to get this year too.

Rejoice, fans of apple’s entry level products !

 

[ry-guy]

but the company has struggled to find a fourth model that draws consumer interest. It started with the "mini" iPhones that were smaller than the iPhone 17. Those didn't sell as well as expected, so Apple moved on to the "Plus" size, offering standard iPhone features paired with a larger display. The Plus iPhone sales were also disappointing, so Apple has now moved to the ultra thin Air, and the company is hoping that a fresh design will lure customers into upgrading.

If this is indeed true, the reason the 4th doesn’t sell well is because it is always missing too much. They choke the products for fear it will cut the other models. Seems to be the same with the air. Like how 120 refresh was only on the upper models last year and look, now it’s on all the models. Just put it on all the models to begin with. Don’t be so stingy Apple.

 

[NewUsername]

I got an iPhone 15 Pro because I wanted 120 Hz, but if I would buy a phone now I would get the regular one.

 

[m1mini]

If this is indeed true, the reason the 4th doesn’t sell well is because it is always missing too much. They choke the products for fear it will cut the other models. Seems to be the same with the air. Like how 120 refresh was only on the upper models last year and look, now it’s on all the models. Just put it on all the models to begin with. Don’t be so stingy Apple.

I just think all the R&D of the air would be paid of genereously if they released a 17 plus at 899. It would sell so much. I feel like if they waited 1 more generation they would find a way to implement 2 cameras and 2 speakers to air

 

[iJulio]

For the majority of consumers, the iPhone 17 base model is perfect. Various color options, great specs. There’s really no reason to buy a pro model unless you require it for whatever reason, and if you want aesthetics then there’s the Air.

Apple really dropped the ball on the color options for the new pro line. The orange and blue colors don’t look that great in person, and the standard silver is safe yet boring.

 

[BelgianChoklit]

I got the base model in blue. I only got the 15 Pro in 2023 because of Pro Motion. Not only do I think the base iPhone is a good deal this year, I find the Pro model to be a really bad one. It’s overpriced for what it offers over the base model.

 

[Tripps9000]

Well i guess I’m out of luck on this got a 16 back in April oh well the 16 is still a good phone just don’t have the 120 refresh rate

 

[citysnaps]

The base 17 model is now a perfect phone. Think the only reason to buy a Pro is to have better camera (zoom lens) and the Pro Max for bigger screen and better camera (zoom). Otherwise I think the normal 17 is the phone to buy. Will easily recommend this one. The sage color is also nice. Blue could have been a bit brighter.

And for those who must have the ability to make photographs in RAW.

 

[Happy_John]

Good to hear.

Finally we’re getting back to the iPhone being the default option, rather than the Pro being the default option.