Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Series Sees Moderate Growth Post-Launch
The iPhone 18 Pro series from Apple has demonstrated a 3.1% increase in global sales year-on-year within the first three weeks following its debut, as reported on Tuesday.
Counterpoint Research’s analysis indicates that the sales trajectory of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max has marked a 3.1% rise compared to the previous year during the critical post-launch phase that commenced in September.
Notably, this new series has outstripped sales performance of the iPhone 17 Pro series during the corresponding timeframe last year, indicating robust market interest.
The report attributes this growth to two main factors: enhanced early supply chains as opposed to last year’s launch hiccups and the elevated price points of rival flagship smartphones produced by Chinese Android manufacturers.
Interestingly, while China presented a stark contrast with a remarkable 29% growth year-on-year, weaker performances were observed in other major markets.
The sales slump in the United States and Japan can be linked to heightened pricing constraints that dampened demand.
In the U.S., consumers have exhibited reluctance towards the latest models, perceiving minimal enhancements in features or design as compared to their predecessors.
Similarly, in Japan, the destabilization of currency exchange rates has exacerbated price hikes, leading to diminished consumer interest.
During the launch window, the iPhone 18 Pro Max accounted for 56% of total sales within the 18 Pro series, a slight decline from 57% in the previous year.
This shift can be attributed to increasing demand for the Pro model, particularly in emerging markets such as India and Southeast Asia, which are exhibiting stronger demand growth relative to the Pro Max variant.
Sujeong Lim, associate director at Counterpoint Research, posits, “Whether China’s impressive performance reflects sustainable demand or merely frontloaded purchasing will become evident in the forthcoming weeks.”
Lim further emphasized that the restoration of sales in the U.S. and Japan, alongside the implications of the upcoming iPhone Duo launch slated for Week 43, will be pivotal in influencing near-term demand patterns.
Research Director Tarun Pathak noted the inconsistencies in demand for the iPhone 18 Pro series across different regions, asserting that ongoing monitoring of sales amidst the normalization of launch-driven demand will continue.
Pathak pointed out that extended replacement cycles, rising memory-related prices, and overarching macroeconomic uncertainties have combined to suppress upgrade momentum.
Nevertheless, even a modest increase in volume growth will be advantageous for Apple, as the company benefits from a greater proportion of higher-end models and incremental upgrades to the Pro lineup.
Pre-bookings for the iPhone Duo are reported to be robust, with current demand surpassing supply limitations, according to the findings.
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