Apple Inc.’s AAPL iPhone 17 launch seems to be gaining momentum, with analyst Gene Munster noting that pre-orders on China’s JD.com Inc. JD have surpassed final yr’s iPhone 16 ranges, excluding the delayed iPhone Air mannequin.
Sturdy Early Demand In China
Over the weekend, Munster, managing companion at Deepwater Asset Administration, wrote on X, previously Twitter, “First information level that iPhone cycle is off to a stable begin.”
Including, “In China, on-line retailer JD says pre-orders surpassed the first-day pre-order quantity of final yr’s iPhone 16 (excludes the Air given no y/y comps).”
Reviews confirmed that the iPhone 17’s 256GB configuration dominated early orders, making it the top-selling mannequin on JD.com since pre-orders opened Friday.
See Additionally: Goldman Sachs Sees Apple Income Acceleration As iPhone 17, AI Take Heart Stage
Worth-Pushed Base Mannequin
The recognition of the bottom iPhone 17 is being credited to its mixture of affordability and upgrades. Apple stored the beginning value at $799, the identical because the iPhone 16, regardless of hypothesis of value hikes.
The system now gives: a bigger 6.3-inch show with slimmer bezels, 120Hz ProMotion assist, beforehand unique to Professional fashions and double the storage at 256GB.
These adjustments carry the usual version nearer to professional-tier specs, serving to Apple handle one of many key gaps that pushed shoppers to higher-priced units up to now.
iPhone Air Faces Regulatory Delay In China
Whereas U.S. prospects can count on to obtain the brand new iPhone Air by its Sept. 19 launch date, Apple postponed pre-orders in China on account of regulatory approval points tied to eSIM know-how, in response to the South China Morning Submit. The delay might briefly dampen Apple’s momentum in one in all its best markets.
Analysts Cut up On Lengthy-Time period Momentum
Regardless of robust pre-order information, skepticism stays concerning the iPhone’s skill to drive one other “supercycle.” AT&T CEO John Stankey advised Yahoo Finance, “I do not see tremendous cycles as being sort of the dynamic round it.”
Wall Road analysts echoed that sentiment, praising Apple’s slimmer designs, digicam enhancements, and stronger battery life however flagging the corporate’s delayed rollout of AI options as a limitation.
Market Context And Inventory Efficiency
Apple continues to steer with a 25.71% international smartphone market share, forward of Samsung’s 20.96%. Within the U.S., Apple dominates with a 57.24% share versus Samsung’s 22.25%.
In the third quarter, iPhone income rose to $44.58 billion, up from $39.3 billion a yr earlier, underscoring the system’s significance to Apple’s progress.
Shares of Apple have fallen 2.26% up to now 5 days and are down 4.01% yr thus far, in response to Benzinga Professional.
Benzinga’s Edge Inventory Rankings point out that AAPL maintains a constructive development over the quick, medium and long run, with further efficiency insights out there right here.
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Disclaimer: This content material was partially produced with the assistance of AI instruments and was reviewed and revealed by Benzinga editors.
