Jeff Pu says longer waits for Burgundy models contrast with immediate availability for some higher-storage Silver variants

Pre-order demand for Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max appears relatively subdued, according to analyst Jeff Pu, who has been tracking delivery wait times across different configurations.

Pu described the initial pre-order response as “lukewarm”, with the most popular 256GB and 512GB configurations showing estimated delivery times of three to four weeks for most colours.

Demand appears to vary significantly by colour and storage capacity. The more expensive 1TB and 2TB models are available immediately in Silver, while Black and Glacier variants have reported wait times of one to two weeks. Burgundy models, meanwhile, are showing three to four-week delivery estimates.

The data suggests Burgundy is attracting the strongest interest among the available colours, while Silver appears to be seeing comparatively lower demand.

However, the current wait times are not unprecedented for Apple’s Pro models. The iPhone 17 Pro Max also reached three to four-week delivery estimates last year. That occurred on September 13, only a day after pre-orders opened and six days before the smartphone officially became available.

This year, pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max began on September 12, with the devices scheduled to reach customers in the first wave of markets on September 18.

Pu attributed the comparatively weaker initial demand to what he described as limited upgrades and higher prices for the new Pro models. The increased weight of the devices could also influence purchasing decisions.

Another factor could be Apple’s new foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo. Some consumers may be delaying their purchases while considering the company’s first foldable iPhone, potentially affecting demand for the conventional Pro models.

Analysts are expected to continue monitoring sales of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max as the devices reach more markets.

Attention will also turn towards the iPhone Duo next month as analysts begin tracking its sales performance. Apple has postponed the launch of the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Air models until next year, meaning their market response will not be known for some time.

The early pre-order data provides only an initial snapshot of demand, and delivery estimates can change as Apple adjusts supply and production across different configurations and markets.