A new report says Apple is still struggling to keep up with demand for the iPhone 12 Pro.
Estimates suggest the iPhone 12 lineup overall became a huge success for Apple — the most popular since iPhone 6 — thanks to its brand-new design, improved cameras, 5G networking and an even faster A13 chip.
Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty breaks it down in a new investor note (via Ped30):
We continue to believe that the iPhone will outperform expectations in the December quarter, as the mix shift to higher-end iPhone 12 models is a tailwind to ASPs and revenue growth. iPhone 12 Pro lead times remain extended far beyond any model launched in the past 4 years at 10 days. Lead times decreased from 22 days ~2 weeks ago as Apple ramps iPhone 12 production signaled by our iPhone supply chain team, led by Sharon Shih, recently raising March quarter iPhone 12 Pro builds by 2M units (which offset a 2M build reduction for the iPhone 12 mini).
The new iPhone is so popular that the Cupertino company will reportedly slash the iPhone 12 mini’s Q1 production by two million units while boosting iPhone 12 Pro’s production by the same amount, reads the note.
Although the lower-tier models aren’t meeting sales goals in the US, the Morgan Stanley investment report mentioned that they’re doing well in international markets. “In China, we believe lower-end iPhone 12 models are performing better than in the US, and we estimate iPhone shipments grew ~47% Y/Y in the December quarter.”
With the mini not doing as well as expected in the US market, we’re curious to see whether Apple plans to include the mini in its upcoming iPhone 13 line.
