Apple Inc.’s basic iPhone 15 model is experiencing longer delivery times compared to its predecessor, indicating a high demand for the latest handsets. According to data from Counterpoint Research, buyers in the US now have to wait 10 days for the basic model, whereas last year’s model only required a 6-day wait. Additionally, the pre-order waiting times for Apple’s top-tier iPhone 15 Pro Max reached a record high due to significant upgrades. However, the demand for the 15 Plus and 15 Pro decreased, resulting in shorter wait times for those models.
In China, Apple’s largest overseas market, the wait times for the basic iPhone 15 quadrupled compared to last year, despite competition from rival devices like Huawei Technologies Co.’s Mate 60 Pro. Archie Zhang, an analyst at Counterpoint, expressed surprise at the higher-than-expected wait times for the base model in China. He also noted that the Pro Max is still the most coveted iPhone in China, as reflected in the extended delivery wait times.
Although the extended delivery times suggest high demand, resale prices remain moderate in China, according to Bloomberg’s previous report. This may indicate that part of the demand is driven by customers trading in their existing devices. Counterpoint’s Ivan Lam highlighted the importance of the trade-in program in reducing psychological barriers for customers considering a new phone purchase, especially in a year marked by declining smartphone demand. Lam also noted that the trade-in program has become an increasingly vital contributor to Apple’s market dominance.
Source: Bloomberg
Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
