Fri Sep 20 12:33:00 UTC 2024: ## Apple’s iPhone 16 Launch Sees Initial Tepid Demand

**New York, NY** – Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone 16 launch has seen initial sales that appear to be lower than last year’s iPhone 15, according to analysts. Despite the rollout of new AI features and the introduction of the Apple Watch Series 10 and AirPods 4, some analysts suggest demand may be muted.

While Apple CEO Tim Cook remained optimistic, stating it was “only the first hour,” analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo from TF Securities reported first-weekend sales were down 12% year-over-year.

Barclays, JPMorgan, and Bank of America also observed shipping times, suggesting weaker demand for the more expensive iPhone Pro models compared to last year.

UBS analysts, however, urged investors not to overreact to the apparent lower sales. They pointed out that supply chain disruptions last year led to longer wait times for the iPhone 15 Pro models, thus skewing the data.

The UBS analysts believe that while the new features are “evolutionary rather than revolutionary,” the demand is likely to stabilize. They note that the current wait times for the iPhone 16 Pro Max are shorter than those for the iPhone 15 Pro Max last year.

Despite this, the UBS analysts acknowledged that “data across all models and regions…support our view that a super-cycle is not imminent.”

The new iPhone 16 introduces features like AI-powered text rewriting, object removal from photos, and improved Siri integration. The Apple Watch Series 10 boasts a larger screen and Sleep Apnea detection, while the AirPods 4 offer a smaller charging case and noise cancellation.

While the initial sales figures may be disappointing, it remains to be seen if demand for the new iPhone 16 will pick up in the coming weeks and months.

Read More