Highlights
- Apple has asked suppliers like Luxshare and Foxconn to increase iPhone 17 output by up to 40% due to unexpectedly strong pre-order demand.
- Consumers are favouring the $799 iPhone 17 over pricier Pro variants, prompting Apple to revise its initial production ratio estimates.
- The standard iPhone 17 now includes ProMotion, upgraded cameras, and Centre Stage feature.
Caption – iPhone 17. (Image credit – Apple)
It appears Apple is ramping up production of the iPhone 17 lineup after stronger-than-expected pre-order performance. A recent report confirms the Cupertino giant is asking its supply chain to meet the surge in demand. Here’s what we know.
Apple Boosts iPhone 17 Production
According to a report from The Information, Apple has asked its suppliers to boost output for the standard iPhone 17. The report reads, “Earlier this week, Apple asked Luxshare Precision, one of the two main iPhone assemblers in China—in addition to Foxconn—to raise daily production of the standard iPhone 17 by around 40%, two people said. The company also told a supplier of non-electrical parts for that model to increase its daily output by roughly 30%, according to an employee at that firm.”
This decision follows earlier projections that the iPhone 17 would make up 25% of total production, with the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max accounting for 65%, and the iPhone Air representing the remaining 10%. However, the latest adjustment suggests Apple may have underestimated demand for its more affordable option.
The Information highlights, “The shift suggests more consumers than Apple expected opted to buy the cheaper iPhone 17 model, which retails for $799 in the U.S., rather than the premium Pro models, which cost $1,099 and more but which usually feature significantly better build materials, cameras, processors and displays.”
The trend indicates that customers may be less willing to pay higher prices for the premium Pro lineup, particularly as the iPhone Air launched at a price point close to the Pro models.
Despite Apple’s positioning of the iPhone Air as a “non-Pro iPhone Pro” during the Awe Dropping event, consumer interest seems to be gravitating toward the standard iPhone 17.
One possible reason for this shift is the significant upgrades Apple has introduced to the base iPhone model. For the first time, the standard iPhone includes features such as ProMotion, a more advanced camera system, and Centre Stage for the front-facing camera. These additions could be drawing regular consumers toward the entry-level device, offering them premium-like features at a lower cost.
FAQs
Q1. Why is Apple increasing production of the iPhone 17?
Answer. Apple saw stronger-than-expected pre-order demand for the standard iPhone 17, prompting a 30–40% production boost across key suppliers like Luxshare and Foxconn.
Q2. How does the iPhone 17 compare to the Pro models in terms of demand?
Answer. Despite initial expectations, more consumers opted for the affordable iPhone 17 over the premium Pro models, likely due to its upgraded features at a lower price point.
Q3. What premium features are now included in the standard iPhone 17?
Answer. The iPhone 17 now offers ProMotion display, an advanced camera system, and Centre Stage support, features previously exclusive to higher-end models.