The weekend sales of the newly launched iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus were lower than launch weekend sales of iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus.
Apple launched its new-generation iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in early September and both devices hit the shelves on Sept. 16. The new iPhones are packed with better features than their predecessors. An improved chip, new color options, better camera capabilities and new software features of the novel iPhones have attracted millions of iFans across the world.
A previous Tech Times report highlighted that Apple raised the order quantities of iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus components in anticipation of high sales. The report said the iPhone maker ordered between 72 million and 78 million new iPhones for 2016, and the figure was 20 percent more than analysts' estimation.
Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known Apple analyst at KGI Securities, also predicted high sale volume for the new iPhones.
However, according to Germany's market research institute GfK, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus's launch weekend sales have not been great. By analyzing Apple's sales channels, GfK found that Apple's new iPhone sales were 25 percent lower year-over-year.
This is not the first instance a GfK's report has rocked Apple. In 2015, the market research firm also reported that iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus turnover was not as impressive as claimed by the company.
It is worth noting that Apple has not officially revealed the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus's first weekend sales figure.
A report from Taiwanese publication DigiTimes cites sources familiar with Apple's manufacturing partners and suggests that Apple's iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus chip orders for the first quarter of 2017 are likely to fall 20 percent less than the chips ordered in the same period of 2016.
"Apple has requested its manufacturing partners stock ICs for a combined 50 million iPhone 7/7 Plus units in the third quarter of 2016, and another 45 million units in the fourth quarter, according to sources at analog chip firms. The estimated volume for the first quarter of 2017 has reduced to 35-37 million units, said the sources," reports DigiTimes.
Although this year's iPhone launch weekend sales have been reported as lower than last year, Apple is said to be pushing its iPhone component makers to make 100 million units of iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in 2016. Apple suppliers were estimating to get orders for about 80 to 85 million units.
It has just been about a week since the official release of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Even though launch weekend sales are low, holiday sales could be higher for the two new offerings from Apple.
