iPhone 16 sales are disappointing – Apple reduces production

Sales of the iPhone 16 are reportedly disappointing, which is why Apple has decided to reduce production of the phone. We already know this.

iPhone 16 sale

Apple will only reveal the official (sales) figures for the third quarter next week, but it seems that the iPhone 16 is less popular than expected. According to the usually reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has reduced production of the iPhone 16 for this reason. Due to the low demand for the iPhone 16, ten million fewer models will be manufactured in the coming months than originally planned.

The scaled-down production will be spread over the next nine months. The next quarter, Apple will produce ‘only’ 84 million versions of the iPhone 16, while 88 million were planned. Apple will also produce fewer iPhone 16 models in the first and second quarters of 2025. According to Kuo, this mainly concerns the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus, sales of the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are not disappointing so far.

Missing key features

It is striking that Kuo says this, because research company Canalys has indicated that the iPhone will have the best third quarter ever in 2024. This is probably not due to the iPhone 16, but due to the sale of older iPhones. For example, the iPhone 15 (Plus) and the iPhone 15 Pro (Max) were reduced in price after the release of the iPhone 16. This may have made the iPhone 15 models even more popular.

On the other hand, the iPhone 16 lacks the most important functions, because Apple Intelligence is not yet available in most of the world. The difference between the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 16 is therefore very small, which may explain the disappointing sales of the iPhone 16. It is still unclear when Apple Intelligence will appear. Many users are therefore waiting for the time being to buy the latest iPhone.

iPhone 16 Pro is popular

Sales of the iPhone 16 are expected to be much higher in the fourth quarter, due to the release of Apple Intelligence and the holidays. This also applies to sales of the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. These devices also have support for Apple Intelligence. With iOS 18.1, the first AI features become available in countries such as the United States and Canada.

The disappointing sales of the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus are unlikely to cause any problems for Apple, especially because the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are selling well. This year’s Pro models are very popular, despite the higher price. Are you planning to buy a new iPhone soon? Then take a look at our price comparator, so you never pay too much!