According to a recent report, Apple plans to ship a staggering 90 million or more iPhone 16 units in 2024 alone.
Bloomberg’s Debby Wu, Takashi Mochizuki, and Yuan Gao report that Apple Inc. aims to ship at least 90 million iPhone 16 devices in the latter half of this year.
This ambitious target comes after a challenging 2023 and reflects Apple’s confidence in the new lineup’s potential to drive strong sales, particularly through enhanced AI features.
Apple has communicated to its suppliers and partners a goal of achieving about a 10% increase in shipments compared to the iPhone 15 line the previous year. In the second half of 2023, the company shipped approximately 81 million iPhone 15 units, setting a high bar for the iPhone 16’s performance.
AI Features Driving Upgrades
A key factor in Apple’s strategy for boosting iPhone 16 sales is the inclusion of Apple Intelligence features across all models in the new lineup. This is a notable shift from last year’s iPhone 15 series, where only the Pro and Pro Max variants supported these advanced AI capabilities. By extending Apple Intelligence support to all iPhone 16 models, Apple aims to make its latest innovations more accessible, encouraging more consumers to upgrade.
Rebounding Sales in China
China’s market dynamics also play a crucial role in Apple’s optimistic forecast. Early 2024 saw a sluggish start for iPhone sales in China, as indicated by government data and independent market research from Counterpoint Research. However, since April, demand for iPhones has rebounded significantly, driven in part by substantial discounts leading up to the “618” shopping event on June 18.
Other Compelling Features
While AI capabilities and improved sales in China are major factors, Apple is likely betting on additional new features in the iPhone 16 lineup to attract consumers. Although specifics about these features are yet to be disclosed, Apple’s history of innovative enhancements suggests that the new iPhones will offer compelling improvements over their predecessors.
As Apple prepares to ship over 90 million iPhone 16 units, the company is setting the stage for a robust second half of 2024. With the expanded availability of Apple Intelligence features and a resurgence in the Chinese market, the iPhone 16 is poised to capture significant consumer interest.
