Pre-Order Stats Suggest Buyers Snapping Up iPhone 14 Pro Max, Ignoring iPhone 14

An initial analysis of pre-order demand for the iPhone 14 suggests the standard models are not selling very well, to the point where Apple may decide to lower shipments.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo analyzed weekend pre-orders numbers(Opens in a new window) for iPhone 14 based on the delivery times listed on Apple’s online stores in major markets around the world. What he discovered is that the iPhone 14 Pro Max is selling well, iPhone 14 Pro sales are “neutral,” and sales of the two standard models (iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus) are simply “bad.”

Kuo is making conclusions based on the fact a delivery time estimate of more than four weeks reflects good demand for a particular iPhone model. With that in mind, the delivery time for the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max is between five and six weeks.

Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro
(Credit: Apple)

Contrast that with the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, which are both still listed as being available on launch day, suggesting not many people are pre-ordering them. Pre-orders are thought to be worse than they were for the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone SE 3; perhaps that has something to do with the iPhone 14 features we didn’t get.

The 14 Pro versions include a new interface known as Dynamic Island, as well as supercharged cameras, per usual. If you’re on the fence, check out Which iPhone 14 Should You Buy?

Kuo believes Apple may cut its shipment forecasts for the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus within the next few weeks unless there’s a major upsurge in demand after launch. Strong sales of the Pro models may entice Apple to order more, but Kuo believes that high inflation and the potential for recessions in key markets make it difficult for Apple to commit to doing so. Demand could fall off a cliff after launch for those expensive phones.

Hands On With the Apple iPhone 14 Lineup