iPhone 18 Pro Delivery Times Extend Sharply in First Week of Preorders
TREE NEWS reports: Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are showing significantly longer delivery lead times in the first week of preorders, a trend that suggests early demand concerns were overdone. According to a product availability tracker from JPMorgan dated September 17, global average delivery times for the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max expanded by 12 days and 7 days, respectively, between the start of preorders on September 12 and a midweek check on September 16. That compares with extensions of just 5 days and 2 days for last year’s iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max over the same period.
In absolute terms, as of September 16, the global average delivery times for the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max stood at 19 days and 26 days, nearly matching the 20 days and 26 days seen for the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max a year earlier. The early divergence in delivery windows across color variants has also largely disappeared, with all colors now showing the same lead times in every market tracked by JPMorgan.
US and Europe Edge Ahead of Last Year
In the United States, which accounts for roughly 34% of global iPhone shipments, delivery times for the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max reached 17 days and 24 days, up from 2 days and 22 days on the first day of preorders and slightly ahead of last year’s 16 days and 23 days. In-store pickup for the 18 Pro is available for all colors on the September 18 launch day, while the 18 Pro Max currently has no pickup option.
In Europe, Germany saw delivery times rise to 18 days and 25 days for the two models, ahead of last year’s 16 days and 24 days. The UK stood at 17 days and 24 days, in line with last year. Germany and the UK each account for about 3% and 4% of global iPhone shipments.
China Remains the Biggest Year-Over-Year Gap
China is the market with the most pronounced year-over-year shortfall. As of September 16, delivery times for the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max in China were 25 days and 29 days, up from 13 days and 21 days on the first day of preorders but still below the 32 days seen for both models last year. In-store pickup is unavailable for both models in China, which represents about 19% of global iPhone shipments. JPMorgan noted that the year-over-year gap in China has narrowed from the first week but remains a key concern in demand tracking.
JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee attributed the initially short lead times to a concentration of initial inventory in higher-end models rather than a sign of weak demand. The subsequent expansion in delivery times is consistent with demand absorbing available inventory. The bank maintained an “overweight” rating on Apple, whose shares closed at $332.41 on September 16.
Market Implications
The data points to resilient demand for Apple’s high-end smartphones, which could support the company’s revenue and earnings outlook for the current quarter. Strong Pro model sales are particularly important because they carry higher average selling prices and boost gross margins. For investors, the narrowing year-over-year gap in China is a positive signal, though the market remains the biggest risk to the global demand narrative. The upcoming iPhone 18 Duo, expected to open for preorders on October 16, will be the next catalyst to watch. If Duo demand is strong, it could further reinforce confidence in Apple’s product cycle and lift sentiment across the consumer electronics supply chain.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max delivery times expanded faster than last year’s models, easing fears of weak demand.
- US and European lead times are slightly ahead of last year, while China remains below 2024 levels but is improving.
- JPMorgan maintains an overweight rating on Apple, citing inventory allocation rather than demand weakness for early short lead times.
- Investors should watch the iPhone 18 Duo preorder launch on October 16 for further demand signals.
