iPhone 18 Pro: Weak pre-orders, is iPhone Duo to blame?

The opening of pre-orders for the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max did not register the usual instant sell-out that Apple has historically accustomed the market to.

While shipments of most configurations remain scheduled for the official launch date, one wonders: are consumers perhaps saving their funds for the highly anticipated iPhone Duo, or has Cupertino simply increased initial stock to meet demand?

iPhone 18 Pro, demand lower than expected?

Unlike in past years, the rush to purchase premium devices seems to have slowed down. A few hours after the start of the reservation phase, a large portion of the iPhone 18 Pro models is still widely available for on-time delivery, scheduled for September 18.

The only significant exceptions concern the colorways Burgundy and Silver, but only as far as the versions equipped with 256 GB and 512 GB of storage are concerned. For these specific variants, the delivery estimates provided by the manufacturer have already shifted to a window between September 24 and 29.

This scenario indicates merchandise availability that is decidedly above normal, leaving room for various interpretations of current market dynamics.

Il fattore iPhone Duo e la logistica

One of the most plausible explanations for this seemingly lukewarm reception could be closely tied to the brand’s packed launch calendar. October 16, in fact, will begin the pre-order phase for iPhone Duo.

It is highly likely that a substantial portion of enthusiasts is holding back their savings, preferring to wait for the new and distinctive device rather than immediately investing in the traditional Pro line.

Alternatively, one should not rule out the concrete possibility that Apple has adopted a much more robust logistics strategy than in the past, accumulating a larger initial inventory, capable of raising the threshold beyond which products run out of stock.

Il caso di iPhone 18 Pro Max e l’impatto dei costi

Shifting the focus to its bigger brother, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, one notices a slightly stronger demand, though not yet comparable to the frenetic pace of previous generations.

The Burgundy variant confirms its strong appeal to the public, showing deliveries postponed to the period from October 6 to October 13 for the 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB versions. The extreme 2 TB configuration, however, keeps the original delivery date of September 18.

This immediate availability is most likely due to the list price. A budget ceiling so high seems to have slowed many consumers and could indicate an inaccurate calculation by the company regarding the real need for such extreme storage cuts.

As for the Pro Max, other configurations have seen deliveries slip between October 6 and October 13: among these are the Glacier and Silver 256 GB and 512 GB versions, as well as the Black 256 GB model.

Concurrently, the Black 512 GB and the Glacier 1 TB are currently scheduled for delivery between September 24 and 29. All other combinations not mentioned will be delivered to customers on the launch day.

Attesa per le reazioni dell’azienda

If sales do not experience a marked acceleration in the coming days, it will be very interesting to observe which type of communication Cupertino chooses to adopt.

Explaining an atypical trend for its flagship products will require definitively clarifying whether the warehouses that are still being restocked are the result of an impeccable supply chain, or whether, in fact, the general public’s attention is already focused on the upcoming October launch.