Analyst says iPhone 18 Pro pre-order wait times indicate modest demand

Analyst Jeff Pu observed that pre-order wait times for the iPhone 18 Pro are generally short, with most configurations ready for immediate delivery. The iPhone 18 Pro Max shows longer delays, ranging from one to two weeks for the Black and Glacier 1TB models and three to four weeks for the Burgundy 1TB and most 256GB and 512GB variants. Pu noted that the longest wait for the most popular Pro Max model is three to four weeks.

He cautioned that the data are limited and that the upcoming iPhone Duo pre-orders could shift consumer interest away from the Pro line. Pu suggested that “lukewarm” demand for the iPhone 18 Pro might reflect higher anticipated demand for the Duo, especially given reports of low production yields that could extend shipping times once Duo orders begin.

Industry observers point out that pre-order wait times are a crude proxy for demand, as they measure the gap between supply and consumer interest rather than actual sales. Analysts typically supplement such metrics with consumer panel data and surveys, but the figures remain estimates until Apple releases official sales numbers.