Apple's iPhone over-the-air sales focus on Q4 earnings

Apple's earnings report on Thursday is key for investors because it includes the first sales of the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air.

Apple's earnings report on Thursday is important for investors as it includes the first official sales figures for the iPhone 17.

The plan covers sales through the end of September, and includes more weeks of sales for the first smartphone that went on sale on September 19.

But investors will be looking closely at what Apple says about demand to see if this year will be "a super hit for higher earnings in fiscal 2025."

Third-party estimates by analysts and industry researchers have shown that iPhone sales have increased this cycle, especially for the entry-level iPhone 17, which gets the fastest chip and screen with a faster refresh rate, and the iPhone 17 Pro model, which has an all-aluminum body and better battery life.

But the latest iPhone, the iPhone Air, seems to be selling poorly.

"There were some reports that showed the power of the iPhone 17 modified than we had previously expected," WellS Fargo Oludananla this month.

It's a familiar story for Apple, which sees its strongest growth when it introduces new iPhone models that expand its lineup.But after going for four phones in 2020, Apple struggled with sales of the fourth phone, lagging behind the flagship iPhone and Pro models.As of 2020, Apple has replaced the "MINI" iPhone with a larger screen "plus" iPhone, and is now testing the "air".

Although Apple doesn't break down sales numbers for individual devices, CEO Tim Cook and CFO Kevan Parekh often provide details during earnings calls about product launches during the quarter and how much demand the company is seeing.

When Apple launched the $999 iPhone Air in September, Cook called it "an iPhone that felt like part of the future."In terms of price, it falls between the iPhone 17, which starts at $799, and the iPhone 17 Pro, which starts at $1,099.

The iPhone Air is thinner, lighter and lighter, but it also comes with trade-offs.It only has a single camera lens and has a shorter battery life than its siblings.But this year, the only iPhone of the year has been redesigned and the reviews have been positive.

China sales can also strengthen this model.It first went on sale in China earlier this month and sold out within minutes, according to the South China Morning Post.

However, buyers prefer what they already know.

Japan's Nikkei newspaper reported last week that Apple has "severely" cut orders for iPhone Air components with its partners, but is increasing orders for its other phones.

Ming-Chi Kuo, a supply chain analyst at TF International Securities known for predicting Apple's future moves, added to the report, saying the iPhone Air fell short of expectations.

"It will show workouts and common features covered in most username usage and entertainment of small parties about new classes.

In many ways, the iPhone Air League isn't a dramatic change for the company.

Since 2020, Apple has released four new phones in the summer.But one in four new models has lagged behind its peers in sales, and Apple has changed models over the years to find something that works.

Before the broadcast, it was the iPhone "PLUS", "in the middle of the line with the same specifications as the main iPhone but with a larger screen. Got for $899. Apple tested it from 2022 to 2024.

Analysts at Goldman Sachs said delivery times, or how long Apple says it will take to ship a device on its website, suggest the iPhone has a similar calling to its predecessors.

"The AIP time of the iPhone Air was originally lowered from the iPhone of the iPhone, but the iPhone Sachys of the iPhone 15 Plus is slightly lower than this month's note.

Before that, Apple's fourth phone was the iPhone Mini, which was cheaper than the main iPhone when it launched in 2020, but consumers didn't turn to the smaller screen.

Analysts say the iPhone may be the type of lineup that includes the iPhone.It has a slim design, tech reviews, and I mean tech reviews.Because the iPhone doesn't have a number, it means that it won't be available next year.

If Apple's other iPhones see strong sales, it may not matter to investors if the air holds up, especially if the new models at least keep the lineup up to date.

"We believe Apple has the ability to maintain smartphone relevance through iPhone form factor updates," analyst Goldman NG wrote.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

Watch: Apple's big move tests its last holdout, says Katie Stockton of Fairlead Strategies