iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders are tracking below expectations, with a high-profile analyst describing initial demand as “lukewarm” and cutting his production estimates for the Pro lineup after wait times fell well short of prior iPhone cycles.
Pre-orders opened September 12 in the U.S. and most major markets. As of now, iPhone 18 Pro Max models in 256GB and 512GB storage are showing 3-4 week wait times across all colors in the U.S., along with the Burgundy 1TB configuration.
The Black and Glacier 1TB Pro Max variants sit at 1-2 weeks, while the Silver 1TB, most 2TB Pro Max configurations, and nearly the entire iPhone 18 Pro lineup are available for launch-day delivery on September 18. The Burgundy 256GB Pro is the lone exception among standard Pro models.
The softer start is being attributed to modest spec improvements and higher prices. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, up from $1,099 for the iPhone 17 Pro, while the Pro Max opens at $1,299.
The 2TB configurations reach $2,399 and $2,499 respectively, pricing that could be weighing on demand for the highest-capacity options.
Based on these early readings, combined iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max production estimates have been trimmed to 72 million units. Manufacturing challenges around the new variable aperture camera system are also expected to constrain supply.
The outlook for Apple’s first foldable has also been lowered, with the 2026 production estimate for the iPhone Duo falling from 7 million to 6 million units because of difficulties manufacturing its hinge.
The Duo opens for pre-order October 16 and ships October 23, starting at $1,999 for 256GB and reaching $3,199 for 2TB.
Its arrival could also be contributing to the slower Pro start. Some buyers who would normally consider a Pro Max may be waiting to see Apple’s first foldable before spending on a new flagship, putting two of Apple’s most expensive iPhones in competition for the same high-end buyers.
Whether the Duo can offset softer Pro demand remains unclear. Its $1,999 starting price gives it a much narrower potential audience, while the lower production estimate suggests Apple may have fewer units available regardless.
