Apple faces the holiday season with the wind at its back after confirming a strong demand of the iPhone 17 in key markets. CEO Tim Cook told investors that the commercial success of the new model would allow for double-digit revenue growth in the December quarter, which could become the strongest in the company's history.
Early signs in the United States and China point to a solid start to the cycle, with initial sales above the previous generation and a notable interest in high-end variants. In Europe, the longer delivery times They reinforce that feeling of sustained demand, while certain supply tensions persist in some models.
What's behind the success of the iPhone 17?
The combination of a sharper screen, expanded storage options, and a more capable processor is driving a new upgrade cycle, even without major AI innovations in this latest iteration. This set of improvements, coupled with targeted promotional campaigns, has resulted in a greater appetite for Pro versions compared to other finishes.
Industry analysts indicate that the first few days after the iPhone 17 launch saw higher sales than the previous model in key markets. This trend aligns with Apple's internal assessment: Cook emphasized that the iPhone 17's momentum will be the primary driver of growth. a stronger fourth Christmas quarter usual.
Impact on results and guidance
In its last fiscal quarter, the company exceeded Wall Street forecasts with 102,5 one billion dollars in revenue and earnings per share of $1,85. iPhone sales reached $49,03 billion, below consensus estimates, a performance the company attributed to supply limitations a weaker environment in China.
Europe: waiting times and availability
UBS's availability analyses reflect that iPhone 17 Pro Max Delivery times are longer than a year ago in key markets, including Europe. On average, this top-of-the-range model is experiencing longer delays than the previous generation, a pattern that suggests a high level of orders.
The iPhone 17 Pro is also experiencing additional delays compared to last year in Europe, while the base model maintains notable delivery times. In contrast, the iPhone 17 Air is usually available fasterThis aligns with a more moderate interest in the Pro versions, especially at the start of the cycle.
Purchasing preferences and recent trends
The data points to a clear preference for the higher margin models (Pro and Pro Max), where demand exceeds supply in several locations. Week after week, slight improvements in availability of some base models have been observed in the United States, while Europe continues to experience longer queues for the higher-end variants.
According to UBS, global wait times for the Pro Max are approximately six older days than last year, and this pressure is strongly felt in Europe. This pattern coincides with indications that the first batch of sales for 17 is above the previous cycle, even though the Air is registering more restrained growth.
What to expect from the Christmas campaign
With the supply chain adjusting and production gradually normalizing, analysts expect pent-up demand to flow in the current quarter. UBS maintains a cautious outlook on the stock but acknowledges signs of stronger-than-expected demand. raises shipping estimates for the September and December quarters, with a special focus on high-end ranges.
If Apple's guidance holds true, the iPhone would once again be the major driver of the December quarter. tails of the Pro models in Europe And the boost in the United States reinforces the upward revenue scenario, with the caveat that the availability of the Air could remain plentiful while interest focuses on the top-of-the-range models.
All of the above points to a year-end with the iPhone 17 as the central lever of the business: more ambitious internal forecasts, Initial sales above the previous cycle And a Europe that is driving demand for advanced models, waiting for supply to catch up with the pace of orders.
