iPhone 17 Pre-Orders Surpass iPhone 16 Within Minutes, Pro Max Model in Highest Demand

Apple’s newly launched iPhone 17 series is off to a flying start in China, with pre-orders breaking records and surpassing last year’s iPhone 16 within just one minute of sales going live.

According to the South China Morning Post, e-commerce giant JD.com recorded more pre-orders on launch day than the entire first-day tally of the iPhone 16 series. The surge in demand was so intense that Apple’s official website crashed temporarily, while some buyers faced payment delays of up to five minutes before receiving order confirmation.

iPhone 17 Pro Max Emerges as Top Choice

The iPhone 17 Pro Max has quickly become the most in-demand model of the lineup. In Shanghai, all in-store pickup slots sold out within 20 minutes, while in Guangzhou, buyers have already been pushed to delivery dates extending into mid-October.

The standard iPhone 17 has also performed strongly, with the 256GB variant emerging as a popular choice among early buyers.

“Apple has astutely segmented its product line-up, ensuring each model appeals to distinct user needs. Collectively, these devices will drive a robust wave of new purchases,” said Nabila Popal, Senior Research Director at IDC.

iPhone Air Missing From China’s Launch

One device absent from the Chinese market is the ultra-thin iPhone Air, an eSIM-only model. The phone is still awaiting regulatory approval before launch. While major telecom operators like China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom are ready to support the device, Apple cannot begin sales without final clearance.

Analysts Confirm Stronger Start Than iPhone 16

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted that the iPhone 17 series is off to a stronger start than its predecessor. He revealed that Apple set production for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Pro, and base model about 25% higher than last year’s levels, yet delivery delays are only about a week longer — suggesting robust demand across the lineup.

Kuo added that the iPhone Air seems to have softer demand compared to last year’s iPhone 16 Plus, but Apple has tripled production for the Air this quarter, complicating direct year-on-year comparisons. Clearer insights are expected once official sell-through data becomes available.

Market Outlook

Market research firm TrendForce estimates that iPhone 17 series shipments will be 3.5% higher than the iPhone 16 lineup, with Pro models driving global sales growth. Analysts believe the early momentum will give Apple a strong boost in its Q3 earnings, though investor focus is already shifting to next year’s iPhone cycle, expected to bring more radical design changes.