AGS NEWS – Apple had high hopes for the iPhone 16, banking on new artificial intelligence features to drive sales. However, pre-sale estimates suggest a lukewarm response from consumers.

The company needed the iPhone 16 to succeed following years of stagnant sales, especially since many loyal customers are no longer upgrading annually.

Despite various launch events, Apple may not have effectively communicated the benefits of the new features.

During the first weekend of pre-sales, Apple sold an estimated 37 million iPhone 16 units, down over 12% from last year.

Demand for the higher-priced iPhone 16 Pro models was particularly low compared to the iPhone 15 launch.

Analyst estimates varied, with some predicting around 40 million units sold, indicating a year-over-year decline.

Interestingly, consumers appear to prefer the lower-priced iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models over the Pro versions, which could impact overall sales revenue.

Sales of the iPhone 16 Pro were down 27%, while the Pro Max saw a 16% decline. Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 16 and Plus models showed slight increases in sales compared to the iPhone 15.

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Analysts note that the standard models offer significant upgrades in cameras and processors, potentially leading to a shift in consumer preference. Kuo reported shorter delivery times for the iPhone 16 Pro models, indicating that Apple may have improved its supply chain.

However, the anticipated AI features will not be available until next month, possibly contributing to consumer hesitance.

While it’s still early for the iPhone 16, analysts remain hopeful that sales will pick up, especially as the year-end holiday season approaches.

T-Mobile reported stronger sales for the iPhone 16 than for the iPhone 15 during the same period, suggesting potential for growth. Apple is expected to release official sales figures in its earnings report next month.