According to a JPMorgan note released on Sunday, Apple Inc.’s iPhone 18 Pro lineup recorded increased lead times during the second week of pre-orders, aligning closely with the trajectory observed during the iPhone 17 rollout last year. Average wait times for the iPhone 18 Pro climbed to 23 days in week two compared to seven days in week one, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max jumped from 19 days to 30 days, based on JPMorgan data.
Global Lead Times and Regional Variations
Wait times across Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States now largely mirror the patterns established by the iPhone 17 series. According to JPMorgan data, U.S. lead times for the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max hit 21 days and 28 days respectively, climbing from two days and 22 days during the opening week. In Germany, European lead times for the two models reached 22 days and 29 days, up from five days and 16 days the prior week.
China stands apart as the sole major market where lead times remain below the prior year’s figures. China accounts for approximately 19% of total iPhone shipments, trailing the U.S. share of roughly 34%. Lead times in China registered at 27 days for the Pro and 33 days for the Pro Max, rising from 13 days and 21 days a week prior. Even with these increases, the figures trail the 30-day and 37-day lead times recorded for the iPhone 17 series, a lag compounded by the Pro Max lacking in-store pickup availability in China.
Impact of the Foldable iPhone Duo on Pre-Orders
Initial delivery windows for the iPhone 18 series tracked below previous launch cycles, a trend JPMorgan attributes to consumers holding back purchases in anticipation of the foldable iPhone Duo. The iPhone Duo rollout was held back until October 16. JPMorgan analysts noted that because the foldable device remained unavailable for initial pre-orders, tracking the magnitude of lead-time moderation heading into the third week remains critical for assessing true demand.
Did you know? Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro series alongside its first foldable device, the Duo, in early September. The new lineup features upgraded hardware specifications paired with higher price points driven by rising component costs.
Supply Chain Signals and Production Plans
JPMorgan stated that definitive demand signals will emerge around November, when supply chain feedback regarding revised production plans typically surfaces. While week-two acceleration for the Pro lineup outpaced last year’s 9-day increase for the 17 Pro and 7-day increase for the 17 Pro Max, analysts emphasize that supply levels and factory allocation play a heavy role alongside consumer demand in shaping lead times.
Lead times measure the span between a customer placing an order and the estimated delivery date. While extended wait times often signal robust consumer demand, they frequently reflect supply constraints and manufacturing limits as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are iPhone lead times?
Lead times represent the duration between a customer placing an order for a device and the estimated shipping date provided by the manufacturer.
How do iPhone 18 Pro lead times compare to the iPhone 17 series?
According to JPMorgan, week-two lead times for the iPhone 18 Pro models are largely parallel to those seen during the iPhone 17 rollout across major markets like the U.S., U.K., and Germany.
Why are lead times in China lower than last year?
China remains the only major market where lead times stay below previous-year levels, partly due to the delayed pre-order window for the foldable iPhone Duo and the absence of in-store pickup for the Pro Max model.
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