Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup is off to a strong start, marking a dramatic turnaround for the company’s flagship device after years of sluggish demand.
The Cupertino giant has reportedly ramped up production of its iPhone 17 standard model by at least 30%, according to the information reports, citing anonymous sources.
Despite reports of scratch concerns, the iPhone 17 has delivered major hardware upgrades that address users’ most pressing requests, including improved battery life, advanced cameras, and enhanced durability. According to Bloomberg, these improvements are fueling a bigger upgrade wave than Wall Street had anticipated.
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These newest iPhones have met with mixed reactions from analysts. Morgan Stanley described the iPhone Air as “a small positive surprise,” while others said they are waiting for AI-powered updates to the lineup that could give Apple’s stock, the sole underperformer among the Mag 7 tech giants, a bigger catalyst for gains.
Mark Gurman, Apple’s Chief Correspondent, highlighted the stark contrast between this year’s launch and last year’s lackluster iPhone 16 rollout. In a LinkedIn post, Gurman recalled how analysts once hyped the iPhone 16 as the start of a super-cycle driven by Apple Intelligence features.
He wrote
“Last year, industry analysts tried to spin Apple Inc.’s iPhone 16 as the start of a super-cycle fueled by its Apple Intelligence features. The reality didn’t come close. The iPhone 16 sold decently in its opening quarter, but nothing about its performance was super. The artificial intelligence push was doomed from the start the features were delayed, underwhelming, and available on older models.
“Beyond the AI hype, the lineup offered little: the supposed “ground-up” redesign was false marketing spin, screen size changes were trivial and the Camera Control button proved forgettable for most users. Twelve months later, the script has flipped. Apple has delivered a genuine standout with the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max devices that close in on deserving mention alongside milestone models like the iPhone 4, 5, 6, X, and 12.”
Data from digital market intelligence firm Similarweb, shared with Sherwood News, revealed a surge in online traffic during Apple’s iPhone 17 launch event, the highest since 2022. Preorder traffic also hit record levels, suggesting stronger demand than at any point in the past three years.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that initial orders for the iPhone 17 are already outpacing those of last year’s iPhone 16. His analysis, based on supply chain data and preorder shipping timelines, indicates that demand is particularly strong for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Kuo estimates that total production volume for Q3 2025 across the Pro Max, Pro, and standard models is 25% higher year-over-year (YoY) compared to the iPhone 16 lineup. While shipping times have extended by about one week, the relatively modest delay points to a healthy balance of supply and strong demand.
CNBC also disclosed that demand is especially strong for the Pro and Pro Max models, with lines in London “notably longer” than they were for the iPhone 16, and consumers in Beijing queuing up the night before to get their hands on the models following strong pre-order sales in China.
2025 A Key Upgrade Year For Apple iPhone
While exciting new features play a role, most consumers upgrade their iPhones when their current devices become obsolete, damaged, or suffer from poor battery performance.
The year 2025 represents a critical point in this natural replacement cycle. During the early pandemic years, Apple experienced a massive “supercycle” of iPhone purchases as consumers stuck at home spent stimulus money and extra savings on tech.
Many of those devices including popular iPhones purchased in 2020 and 2021 — are now aging, with declining performance and battery life. This timing aligns perfectly with the iPhone 17’s release, fueling another wave of upgrades as consumers look to replace their older phones.
The iPhone 17 series has not only met customer expectations but also reignited excitement in Apple’s product lineup. With strong preorders, increased production, and a favorable upgrade cycle, the stage is set for Apple to deliver one of its most successful iPhone launches in years.