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Kuo: iPhone XS Max Significantly Outselling iPhone XS, 256GB Most Popular, 512GB Subject to Serious Shortage

Monday September 24, 2018 7:23 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
In a research note obtained by MacRumors today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has provided launch-weekend takeaways for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4, all of which went on sale Friday.


Kuo says that iPhone XS Max demand is "better than expected," with the 6.5-inch model outselling the iPhone XS by three to four times. He says the 256GB storage option is most popular, with the 512GB configuration subject to a "serious shortage" due to Samsung being the only reliable supplier.
We have determined that the demand for XS Max is better than expected (3–4 times that of XS). The gold and space-grey colors are significantly more popular than the silver. 256GB is the most popular, and 512GB is subject to a serious shortage because only Samsung can currently ship NAND Flash well. We are positive that XS Max shipments will grow steadily in 4Q18 thanks to demand from Asia market and the gift season.
The well-known analyst believes Apple Watch Series 4 demand is "much better than expected," with supplies likely to remain tight until Compal begins mass production starting from November, as a secondary supplier alongside Quanta.
Apple Watch Series 4 demand is much better than expected. The capacity of the assembler Quanta is full already; therefore, the supply cannot improve significantly until second supplier Compal's mass production for Apple Watch Series 4 starting from November. We have increased the Apple Watch shipment forecast in 2018 from 18mn to 18.5–19.5mn units.
Kuo believes the iPhone XR will be a hot seller, with more customers upgrading to that model than the iPhone 8 series spurred last year. He is also confident that the device's display-related production bottleneck will "markedly improve" beginning in mid to late October. iPhone XR pre-orders begin October 19.

Kuo expressed similar opinions following the first weekend of iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 pre-orders last week.

Related Roundup: iPhone XS
Tags: Ming-Chi Kuo, TF International Securities
Buyer's Guide: iPhone XS (Don't Buy)
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macduke
10 months ago
Great. So not only has Apple killed the iPhone SE, but they're going to end up killing the iPhone XS 5.8" size for not being popular enough. We'll all just walk around with 12.9" iPhone Ultra's strapped to our faces in 10 years. Am I the only one sick and tired of the giant phone craze?
Rating: 25 Votes
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canyonblue737
10 months ago
I'm not saying it isn't correct, just that I'm stunned. I just can't imagine that huge phone that needs two hands outsells the XS by 3-4x's. Perhaps it is a one off this year since few upgraded from the X and you have a large number of holdouts from the 8 Plus and earlier getting the bigger phone they wanted? I'm surprised.
Rating: 17 Votes
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benshive
10 months ago

I'm not saying it isn't correct, just that I'm stunned. I just can't imagine that huge phone that needs two hands outsells the XS by 3-4x's. Perhaps it is a one off this year since few upgraded from the X and you have a large number of holdouts from the 8 Plus and earlier getting the bigger phone they wanted? I'm surprised.


The form factor is almost exactly the same size as the plus models (6/6s/7/8) that people have been using for like 4 years. I'm not really surprised.
Rating: 17 Votes
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bbeagle
10 months ago

This is my theory. one reason I didn't want an iPhone X was that the screen was smaller than my 7 Plus. No way in hell I was going to go to a smaller screen!


The iPhone X has a 5.8" screen. The 7 Plus has a 5.5" screen.

This is my first time with an iPhone X. I love it. The screen is so much bigger than my iPhone 7 it's replacing, but the device itself is almost the exact same size. Only 'barely' bigger.

The iPhone X/XS are perfect devices for a large screen / small form factor for those who don't want a phablet.

Rating: 12 Votes
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KeepCalmPeople
10 months ago
Genius marketing - get consumers to buy the X (“the screen is the same size as a plus”), then buy the XS Max for the bigger screen.
Rating: 11 Votes
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KPOM
10 months ago

The iPhone X has a 5.8" screen. The 7 Plus has a 5.5" screen.

The 7 Plus’s screen was wider, though.
Rating: 11 Votes
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nintenmav
10 months ago

This is my theory. one reason I didn't want an iPhone X was that the screen was smaller than my 7 Plus. No way in hell I was going to go to a smaller screen!

The XS Max is more my style; I want one but it's expensive so it has to wait.


The iPhone X has a larger screen than the plus phones. I personally think the iPhone X / XS size is the right balance of screen/body size.
Rating: 8 Votes
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blairh
10 months ago
The Max is an amazing device. I believe the XR will eat heavily into XS sales.
Rating: 7 Votes
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canyonblue737
10 months ago

The form factor is almost exactly the same size as the plus models (6/6s/7/8) that people have been using for like 4 years. I'm not really surprised.


I fully admit I haven't used a MAX hands on yet but it isn't the exact same form factor. Yes, I know the body is the same size (actually a tiny bit smaller) but since the screen is edge to edge now and so much larger 5.5 -> 6.5 your hand has to reach *much* farther corner to corner and top to bottom. I totally understand that if you are seated and with two hands that using the MAX must be awesome with the big screen but for example something I do every single week, using the XS dragging a bag through an airport terminal, would be for me impossible with the MAX.
Rating: 7 Votes
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GaryMumford
10 months ago
loving my XS MAX. No bigger than my old 7+, so I'm comfortable with the size. (and I have BIG hands!!!)
Rating: 6 Votes

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