Apple’s iPhone 15 Proves Popular After Receiving Enhancements

The delivery time for Apple Inc.’s entry-level iPhone 15 model is nearly twice as long as its predecessor, indicating strong demand for the company’s latest smartphones. In the US, customers now have to wait 10 days to receive the basic model, compared to six days for the previous generation device launched last year, according to Counterpoint Research. On the other hand, the top-tier iPhone 15 Pro Max has set a new record for pre-order waiting times, as the researchers discovered. The significant improvements in both models have fueled increased demand, although this has come at the expense of Apple’s other options, namely the 15 Plus and 15 Pro, which have seen reduced wait times.

In China, Apple’s biggest overseas market, wait times for the basic version quadrupled from last year, Counterpoint said. This suggests that Apple is attracting buyers even with competing devices such as Huawei Technologies Co’s highly touted Mate 60 Pro.

“We were expecting the base iPhone 15 wait times in China to drop much lower — perhaps at the same level as last year,” said Archie Zhang, an analyst at Counterpoint. “And when it comes to ultra-premium, the Pro Max remains the most sought-after iPhone in China, and the long delivery times reflect this.”

Extended delivery times have not led to increased resale prices, as researchers confirmed Friday a Bloomberg report that scalper prices in China are only moderate. This may suggest that demand is at least partially driven by people trading in their existing devices.

“In a year marked by declining demand for smartphones, the trade-in program is expected to play a key role in reducing psychological barriers for those considering purchasing a new phone,” said Counterpoint’s Ivan Lam. “It is becoming an increasingly important factor in Apple’s dominant market position.”