Demand for the iPhone 17 is stronger than Apple expected. During the earnings call for the fourth quarter of 2025, Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke about the company's current situation and indicated that the new iPhone models are performing significantly better than predicted. The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro, in particular, appear to be selling exceptionally well, while the iPhone Air seems to be falling short of expectations.
Apple is in a strong position following the launch of the iPhone 17. The company is benefiting from solid demand across its entire product portfolio, but the new iPhone 17 models are particularly in the spotlight. While Tim Cook didn't disclose specific sales figures during the conference call, he indicated that Apple is struggling to keep up with current orders.
High demand and limited supply
According to Cook, the supply of iPhone 17 models will remain limited. This indicates that demand is higher than Apple originally anticipated. Even before the market launch, analysts had reported strong interest in the new generation. Their assessments were based on early customer feedback and the increased production orders that Apple placed with its manufacturing partners.
These analyst reports have now been indirectly confirmed by Cook's statements. While he avoided commenting on the sales figures of individual models and explained that he was deliberately dodging the question, it was clear between the lines that the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro are currently the driving forces in the portfolio.
Weak demand for the iPhone Air
While the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro are in high demand, the iPhone Air doesn't seem to be having the hoped-for success. Cook barely mentioned the model during the conference call. Reports indicate that Apple has shifted iPhone Air production to a lower volume at the "end of its cycle." At the same time, orders for the standard and Pro versions of the iPhone 17 have increased.
Cook's statement that Apple is "limited at the top and bottom of its product range" suggests that both the cheapest and most expensive models are in high demand. The iPhone Air, which falls between these price points, seems to be attracting fewer buyers.
The iPhone 16 remains in demand.
Interestingly, Cook also spoke about the continued demand for the iPhone 16. Even in the period immediately before the launch of the iPhone 17, the previous model remained in short supply. Cook said that Apple "could have sold more iPhone 16s" this quarter if supply capacity had been higher. This demonstrates that demand has remained strong across several model generations.
Financial figures and outlook
Apple's fourth quarter of 2025 ended on September 27. The iPhone 17 had only been available for a few days during this period, yet Apple already saw noticeable effects from its market launch. The company reported revenue of $102.47 billion, representing an 8 percent increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. This growth underscores the significance of the iPhone 17 series for current business performance.
Even though Apple hasn't released detailed figures for individual models, the indicators so far paint a clear picture: the iPhone 17 is a success. Analysts expect this trend to continue in the coming quarters – provided Apple can get the supply bottlenecks under control.
iPhone 17 lays the foundation for a strong fiscal year
The iPhone 17 is off to a better-than-expected start for Apple. Both the base model and the iPhone 17 Pro are selling strongly, while the iPhone Air appears to be lagging behind projections. This high demand is currently leading to limited availability, once again demonstrating the immense interest in Apple's latest devices.
With an eight percent increase in revenue in the fourth quarter and continued strong demand, Apple has laid the foundation for a successful fiscal year. The coming months will show whether the company can expand production and maintain the strong momentum of the iPhone 17. The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those compatible with HomeKit. (Image: Apple)
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