iPhone 12 Series Still Strong Despite Weaker Demand, Says JP Morgan Analyst

Quarterly shipments of Apple's iPhone 12 series continue to enjoy a year-on-year increase, despite weakening demand for the devices, according to JP Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee (via AppleInsider).

iPhone 12 Layout Feature
In an investor note from the analyst, Chatterjee decreased his 2021 ‌iPhone‌ shipment expectations from 236 million units to 230 million units, but noted that this number was still equivalent to a 13% overall increase in volume shipments for Apple compared to 2020.

Chatterjee's revised expectations are based on a significant cut in ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro shipments and weaker-than-expected demand for the iPhone 12 mini, both of which make the bank "take note of a weaker demand environment." Chatterjee continues to believe that Apple will discontinue ‌iPhone 12 mini‌ production in the second quarter this year.

A report at the start of the year suggested Apple's ‌‌iPhone 12 mini‌‌, which is the smallest ‌‌iPhone‌‌ that has been released since the 2016 ‌iPhone‌ SE, has not been selling as well as Apple hoped, making up just 6% of ‌iPhone‌ 12 sales in the U.S. in October and November. A later report claimed that the ‌‌iPhone 12 mini‌‌ accounted for only 5% of all ‌‌iPhone‌ 12‌ sales in the U.S. in the first half of January.

The JP Morgan analyst puts the slowing demand for the ‌iPhone‌ 12 series as a whole down to weaker consumer spending in China and a normalization of demand trends following the initial excitement surrounding Apple's adoption of 5G connectivity in the ‌iPhone‌ 12 series.

Chatterjee revised his shipment estimate to 52 million units for the March quarter, a 3 million decrease compared to his original expectations. For the June quarter, the analyst revised the number to 42 million units from 36 million units.

"However, at this time we do not see any reason to change our 2H21 volume forecast," said Chatterjee, noting that the supply chain is sticking with its 80 to 90 million build estimate for the first half of this year.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
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...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "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...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. 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...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. 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...

Top Rated Comments

ian87w Avatar
65 months ago
Meh, typical Apple cycle. Sales will keep slowing down until the next iPhone is released. Getting tired of analysts proclaiming the obvious.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
44267547 Avatar
65 months ago
This same re-hashed article rolls out almost every single year at this time, we’re six months into the halfway point from the iPhone 12 launch, which always has a drag in sales. But, I also suspect the unstable economy might have an affect on iPhone sales, which consumers probably won’t upgrade unless absolutely necessary.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Romeo_Nightfall Avatar
65 months ago
still STRONG
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DeepIn2U Avatar
65 months ago

This same re-hashed article rolls out almost every single year at this time, we’re six months into the halfway point from the iPhone 12 launch, which always has a drag in sales. But, I also suspect the unstable economy might have an affect on iPhone sales, which consumers probably won’t upgrade unless absolutely necessary.
This isn't size months ... we're about to start the 4.5mth (mid-October 2020 launch).
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ikramerica Avatar
65 months ago
We did our part. My wife loves her valentines day 12 as a replacement for her old 6+. Granted it’s much much faster, but it’s also lighter and smaller for roughly the same screen width, higher dpi and much better main camera. She says she doesn’t miss touch ID, but I still would miss it.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
7493920 Avatar
65 months ago
No way iPhone mini gets discontinued during second quarter. Maybe they decide to not continue to produce it at a lower price after the next generation iPhone gets introduced.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)