iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 Pre-Order Insights: ‘Air’ Production Tripled Compared to 16 Plus, ‘Pro Max’ Dominates Demand

Last Friday marked the opening of pre-orders for the iPhone 17, and the response was nothing short of extraordinary. Reports indicate that the surge in demand was so substantial that Apple’s online store experienced crashes due to overwhelming traffic, especially in China. Industry analysts have shared insights into the preliminary success of the new lineup, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max shining as a standout model. Interestingly, the iPhone Air has also received favorable feedback, particularly in comparison to the iPhone 16 Plus from the previous year.

Production Plans Amplified: Q3 2025 Shows a 25% Increase for iPhone 17 and Pro Models

Insights from Ming-Chi Kuo, a renowned analyst from TF International Securities, reveal interesting data regarding the iPhone 17 pre-orders. While the iPhone Air’s launch might feel more subdued compared to the iPhone 16 Plus, there is considerable interest in the model. Kuo highlighted a staggering 200% increase in production plans, indicating a threefold rise in comparison to last year’s iPhone 16 Plus in Q3 2024.

When analyzing the production strategies for the iPhone 17 lineup—including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max—it’s projected that their combined manufacturing output will be 25% higher year-over-year for the upcoming quarter. Expected delivery times are also only slightly extended, by about one week. This strategic planning suggests that Apple is proactively addressing demand concerns by collaborating with its assembly partner Foxconn to boost production numbers. According to earlier estimates, Apple aims to ship roughly 100 million units across the iPhone 17 series, with the Pro Max model likely dominating sales.

iPhone 17 Series First-Weekend Preorder Takeaways:1. Conclusion: First-weekend preorder demand for the iPhone 17 lineup outpaced last year’s iPhone 16.2. For the Pro Max, Pro, and standard models, planned 3Q25 production is about 25% higher YoY, while estimated delivery lead…

— Ming-Chi Kuo (@mingchikuo) September 15, 2025

Kuo concludes that the impressive pre-order figures can be attributed to several appealing new features, including the introduction of LTPO OLED technology in the iPhone 17, which is priced at $799. Additionally, the latest A19 chip, manufactured using TSMC’s cutting-edge 3nm process, enhances performance significantly. The base model also boasts 256GB of internal storage, eliminating the need for customers to pay extra for higher capacity options. Initially, it appears that Apple may have achieved great success with its iPhone 17 debut; however, only time will reveal how various markets will embrace these four models.

For more detailed insights, visit Ming-Chi Kuo’s Twitter.

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