We’ve been hearing a lot about iPhone 15 demand in recent weeks, especially when it comes to China. Following a Bloomberg report about disappointing iPhone 15 sales in one of Apple’s biggest markets, analyst Jeff Pu from Haitong International Securities corroborated the news. He also shared more tidbits about what to expect for the iPhone 16 lineup.
iPhone 15 demand not strong enough in China
In a note to investors seen by 9to5Mac, Jeff Pu pointed out that demand for the iPhone 15 is lower than demand for the iPhone 14 in the same period last year. Unsurprisingly, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the most popular model among customers, followed by the iPhone 15 Pro. When it comes to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, demand is weaker.
Pu notes that it’s easy to find the less expensive models with immediate availability in stores around the world. Of course, each region has its own particularities, and there’s a lot going on in China right now.
In China, the iPhone is facing stiff competition from Chinese smartphones, especially from Huawei’s recently launched Mate 60. The phone has a 6.8-inch display with super-thin bezels, high-resolution cameras, and a 5,000mAh battery. Prices start at ¥5999 (around $819), which is $200 less than the iPhone 15 Pro costs there.
Huawei shipped 240 million smartphones in 2019, 100 million of them in China alone. However, due to US sanctions, shipments fell considerably in the following years. But according to Pu, demand for Huawei’s latest smartphones in China is “much stronger than expected.”
For Apple, this certainly represents a risk. China accounted for 22% of total iPhone shipments in the first half of 2023, making it one of the most important regions for Apple. Assuming the iPhone’s market share falls by 4.5% in the country, this would represent around 12 million lost iPhone…
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