Apple Pushes iPhone 15 Pro Max Deliveries to November in Sign of Strong Orders
Apple’s newly unveiled iPhone 15 Pro Max is already facing substantial demand, resulting in extended delivery times for eager customers in several countries, including China, Japan, and the United States. This surge in demand serves as an encouraging sign for Apple, given previous concerns about iPhone sales following a slowdown in the global smartphone market.
Chinese customers, in particular, may find themselves waiting for four to five weeks to receive their iPhone 15 Pro Max, which also helps alleviate concerns about the iPhone’s performance in Apple’s third-largest market. Notably, the iPhone faces intensified competition from Huawei and increased restrictions on iPhone usage among Chinese government staff.
In the United States, prospective iPhone 15 Pro Max buyers can expect a six to seven-week waiting period, while Japan’s wait time stands at five to six weeks. However, the iPhone 15 Pro, a slightly less expensive alternative, offers a shorter wait of two to three weeks in both countries.
One key factor contributing to the extended delivery times for the Pro Max model is the initial supply constraints Apple encountered, primarily related to securing the required displays for the device with thinner bezels than previous iPhones. Fortunately, these supply challenges have been resolved, according to Nabila Popal, research director at IDC’s worldwide tracker group.
Popal added, “We expect Apple to get into full gear by the holiday season with shipments highly skewing towards the Pro Max model, which should give Apple a nice bump in its average-selling price.”
China, a pivotal market for Apple, demonstrated robust demand for the high-end iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models. Both models sold out on Alibaba’s Tmall marketplace within just one minute of their release. JD.com, another significant sales channel for Apple in China, recorded over 3.4 million reservations for the four iPhone 15 models leading up to the official sales launch.
Ivan Lam, a senior analyst at Counterpoint, commented on the iPhone’s appeal in the Chinese market: “Since the decline of Huawei, the iPhone has been able to attract a massive number of consumers in the more than $600 segment.” He further noted that the iPhone 15 series, particularly the Pro models, would be attractive upgrades for existing iPhone 11/12 users. However, Lam acknowledged that Huawei’s Mate 60 series posed a competitive challenge to the iPhone.
Huawei recently introduced the Mate 60, equipped with an advanced chip, marking a potential resurgence for the company. Once the world’s leading smartphone manufacturer, Huawei faced severe setbacks due to U.S. export controls. However, better-than-expected sales have encouraged Huawei to raise its second-half shipment target for the Mate 60 series by 20% and its overall new smartphone shipment forecast for 2023 to a minimum of 40 million units.
Huawei’s unique approach to the Mate 60 launch, devoid of pre-marketing and flashy events, has garnered attention. The company is scheduled to host an event on September 25, where it is anticipated to provide further details about its new smartphone offerings.
