Apple iPhone 17 series preorders outpace last year’s lineup, with Pro Max still the top seller

Apple’s new iPhone 17 series has kicked off with massive demand in India and China, with preorders breaking records even before the phones officially hit stores. Launched on September 9, the iPhone 17 lineup comes with significant upgrades in terms of design, performance, and cameras. In India, preorders for the iPhone 17 series have surpassed expectations, with Apple Stores and retailers reporting limited initial stock.

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Many customers who pre-booked their devices are now facing delays in the delivery timeline, while walk-in buyers are struggling to get their preferred models.

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In China, preorders broke records within minutes. According to a report by South China Morning Post (SCMP), sales on retailer JD.com crossed the first-day preorder numbers of the iPhone 16 series in just one minute. The iPhone 17 with 256GB storage is the most demanded configuration. Apple’s official website also faced heavy traffic, with some customers reportedly waiting up to five minutes for their payments to process. In Shanghai, all in-store pickup slots for the iPhone 17 Pro Max were booked out within 20 minutes, while in Guangzhou, new buyers were told they’d have to wait until October 15 for deliveries.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that first-weekend preorder demand for the iPhone 17 series outpaced last year’s iPhone 16 lineup. For the Pro Max, Pro, and standard models, planned Q3 2025 production is about 25% higher year-on-year, with delivery time only around one week longer.

The new iPhone 17 Air has been available in stock at launch, which, on the surface, looks softer compared to the iPhone 16 Plus last year. However, Kuo noted that the Air’s Q3 2025 build plan is roughly three times higher (~+200% YoY) than that of the 16 Plus in Q3 2024, which explains the early availability.

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Additionally, the iPhone 17 Pro Max continues to lead demand globally. Production builds for the model are up roughly 60% year-on-year compared to the 16 Pro Max, yet delivery time remains similar.

Kuo further shared that the iPhone 17’s record preorders will give Apple a boost in its Q3 2025 results.

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Himani Jha

Himani Jha is a tech news writer at Digit. Passionate about smartphones and consumer technology, she has contributed to leading publications such as Times Network, Gadgets 360, and Hindustan Times Tech for the past five years. When not immersed in gadgets, she enjoys exploring the vibrant culinary scene, discovering new cafes and restaurants, and indulging in her love for fine literature and timeless music. View Full Profile