According to a recent study by investment bank Morgan Stanley, delivery times for the iPhone 16 are shorter than those of its predecessors, suggesting weaker demand for Apple’s latest smartphone. A surprising trend as the Cupertino firm is betting big on artificial intelligence with its Apple Intelligence.
Delivery times down compared to previous iPhones
Morgan Stanley analyzed the average times between pre-order and delivery of the different iPhone 16 models, and compared them to last year:
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 25.5 days (compared to 43.5 days in 2023)
- iPhone 16 Pro: 18.5 days (vs. 32.5 in 2023)
- iPhone 16: 9 days (compared to 14 in 2023)
- iPhone 16 Plus: 7.9 days (vs. 13.9 in 2023)
On average, the iPhone 16 delivery time has been just 9 days since pre-orders began, the shortest in 5 years, and roughly equivalent to that of the iPhone 12. According to Morgan Stanley, there is a more than 50% chance that Apple will reduce its orders from its suppliers.
AI doesn’t seem to be a buying argument yet
Analysts note that early buyers seem to be primarily motivated by the renewal of an old phone, or by improved battery life and camera. Apple Intelligence, the big new feature of the iPhone 16, does not seem to weigh heavily in the purchasing decision for the moment. It must be said that it is currently only available in beta version.
Still, it’s still early to draw any definitive conclusions. Short lead times early in the cycle aren’t always a reliable indicator. Apple may have anticipated demand better this year. And the full potential of Apple Intelligence remains to be demonstrated once the final version is available.
Still, after signs of weakness in pre-orders and early employee discounts, these Morgan Stanley figures fuel doubts about the success of the iPhone 16. The mobile AI revolution promised by Apple may not yet be tangible enough to convince buyers to take the plunge. Stay tuned in the coming months.
