iPhone XR pre-order demand in the first three days of the device's availability was "better than that" of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus during the same period last year, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a research note obtained by MacRumors, Kuo said that although pre-order demand immediately after launch has been lower for the iPhone XR versus the flagship iPhone XS models, overall iPhone XR shipment momentum is "more stable" because it will drive more customers to upgrade than the iPhone 8 series over time.
Kuo added that iPhone XR shipping estimates on Apple.com (many models remain available for launch day delivery on Friday) do not indicate exact demand, as the type of customers interested in the device are more general users, with many ordering through carriers to take advantage of promotions.
An excerpt from Kuo's research note with TF International Securities:
We are not surprised that XR's initial delivery times are shorter than those of the iPhone XS series after pre-order open given that XS and XR have different target customers. The former's target customers are Apple fans, who snap up new models rapidly after the pre-order open. The latter's are general users who are used to operating iOS with characteristics including favoring the Apple brand, limited budget, or no urgent replacement demand.
Some other analysts had expressed concerns that the iPhone XR's strong availability implied weak sales of the $749 handset.
Kuo already predicted that iPhone XR demand would be higher than that for the iPhone 8 series last year in a research note shared last week. He also increased his iPhone XR shipment forecast to 36 to 38 million units in the fourth quarter of 2018, up 10 percent from his original estimate of 33 to 35 million units.
Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon.
In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.
In his Powe...
Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
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"All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol
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Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
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"Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today.
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Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by Joe Rossignol
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In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Wow, people like to buy reasonably priced iPhones, who would have guessed ?
Not surprising, the low cost is the main driver. Majority of the features, plus new design/colors, at a lower cost - easy sell.
I earn a wage I consider to be robust enough to be able to support buying an Iphone now and then (engineer for 25 years), but anything over $500 for a phone that's likely to require replacement every ~3 years does not seem like "low cost" to me!
Good God, is $750 before Apple Care really considered "low cost" to the admittedly Apple-fanatics (of which I still consider myself one) around these parts?
I’m not calling $750 to be too much or non-justifiable. I can hardly see it be called “low cost” or “reasonably priced.”
What, did the (no longer available) $379 iPhone SE and (currently available) refurbished iPhone 7 for $379 seem like giveaways??
$750 starting isn't low cost. Xr is pretty much a blown up SE and should be priced accordingly at ~$549. Without the Apple logo it would cost ~$249.
I've heard you spout some dumb stuff on here before, but this has to take it. The best performing chip, one of the top cameras, arguably the most advanced facial recognition, and iOS to top it off, should be the cost of a cheap Android? Haha come on.
He is right, people who pre-order are not the main buyers if the XR. This phone will be the main seller for the average user, the enthusiasts are the ones who pre-order.
