Apple’s £1,449 iPhone XS Max is so popular experts are warning of a ‘serious shortage’
APPLE'S most expensive iPhone models are proving the most popular.
That's according to a legendary Apple watcher and industry analyst who claims there's surprising demand for the priciest £1,449 iPhone.
Ming Chi Kuo, one of the world's most respected tech analysts, says there's a "serious shortage" of the top model.
Apple's new iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max range in price from £999 right through to £1,449.
And since they went on sale back on September 14, there have been fears over supply issues – due to huge demand for the handsets.
When the iPhone first went on sale for pre-orders, we revealed how shipping times quickly skyrocketed to as high as three weeks for some models.
"The Gold and Space Grey colours 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 [memory] well.
"We are positive that XS Max shipments will grow steadily in 4Q18 thanks to demand from Asia market and the gift season."
It's unlikely that any iPhones will actually sell out, but shipping times are an issue for some models.
If you order an iPhone XS Max today (Wednesday, September 26) in the UK, it won't be delivered until October 4 to 8.
By comparison, you can get any iPhone XS model as early as September 28 – just a two-day turnaround.
New iPhone UK prices revealed
Here's how much the new 2018 models will cost you in the UK...
- iPhone XR (64GB) – £749
- iPhone XR (128GB) – £799
- iPhone XR (256GB) – £899
- iPhone XS (64GB) – £999
- iPhone XS (256GB) – £1,149
- iPhone XS (512GB) – £1,349
- iPhone XS Max (64GB) – £1,099
- iPhone XS Max (256GB) – £1,249
- iPhone XS Max (512GB) – £1,449
Apple's 2018 roster of handsets were the most expensive iPhones ever released.
Last year's iPhone models ranged from £699 to £1,049.
But the cheap iPhone XR (due mid-October) costs at least £749, and the iPhone XS start at £999 – the same price as 2017's premium iPhone X.
It's not just pricey iPhones that are selling well, either.
Apple also used 2018 as an opportunity to hike the cost of its smartwatches up, launching the £399 Apple Watch 4.
That's no surprise, given that the Apple Watch is now not only the most popular smartwatch, but also the best-selling watch in the world.
Speaking about the demand, Ming said: "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 18million to 18.5-19.5million units."
We've asked Apple for details about official iPhone sales figures and will update this story with any response.
What's the highest amount of money you'd be willing to spend on a mobile phone? Let us know in the comments!
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