Key Takeaways
- Apple’s newest iPhones are available for pre-order starting Friday, and analysts are awaiting early data to determine how consumers feel about the newest smartphones.
- Analysts have cited “attractive” trade-in deals from cellular carriers as a factor that could drive early sales for the iPhone 16.
- However, the wait until at least next month to get access to the AI features that dominated Monday’s launch event could cool some consumers’ enthusiasm.
Pre-orders of Apple’s (AAPL) latest iPhone, the iPhone 16, start Friday following the tech giant’s launch event earlier this week. Analysts are awaiting early pre-order and sales data to gauge consumer interest in the latest models, and the impact sales could have on Apple’s shares.
Following last year’s iPhone 15 unveiling, early pre-order data and shipping times were both positive surprises for analysts, especially in Apple’s important market of China, CNBC reported at the time.
Analysts Focus on Sales Data as ‘Next Catalyst’ for Apple Stock
J.P. Morgan analysts said following Monday’s event that “we expect the next catalyst to be the early order momentum as well as the supply chain feedback following the early orders.” Several analysts said “attractive” trade-in offers from the country’s largest cell carriers could help make the new phones more affordable for consumers.
Analysts said their expectations of a “robust, but staggered” sales volume for the 16 launch were intact despite a slow rollout of the artificial intelligence (AI) features that dominated Monday’s presentation that could delay some sales. The phone will launch Sept. 20 with none of the AI features, as Apple said Monday that they will roll out in software updates starting next month.
Morgan Stanley analysts said following the launch event that their focus was shifting to collecting early pre-order data starting Friday,and getting insights into iPhone 16 production numbers later this month.
Social media users posted images from their pre-order process with Apple’s listed delivery dates ranging from the Sept. 20 launch into October, which could indicate a combination of high demand or potential supply chain issues.
Shares were little changed Friday, edging higher alongside broader markets. They’re up about 1% since the launch event.