Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup is shaping up to be a major success story, with sales figures exceeding expectations across multiple models. According to a leading Japanese investment banking and securities firm, both the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are outperforming their predecessors during the same launch period last year. The standard iPhone 17, however, appears to be the biggest winner of the series, delivering significantly stronger sales compared to the iPhone 16 and driving overall demand upward.
The only exception in Apple’s latest lineup seems to be the iPhone Air, which has not performed as strongly in several Western markets. Apple reportedly plans to scale back production of this model by around one million units for the remainder of the year. Despite this, the company is increasing production of its other iPhone 17 models by roughly two million units each, indicating robust global demand and an overall optimistic sales outlook.
Apple’s confidence is further reflected in its updated production forecast for the iPhone 17 series. The company has raised its target from 88 million units to 94 million units heading into early 2026—a clear sign of sustained consumer interest and strong momentum.
Interestingly, Apple’s mid-range iPhone Air has still managed to make headlines in Asia, where it sold out within hours of launch in China. This suggests a regional divide in consumer preferences, with Asian markets showing more enthusiasm for the thinner, lighter model.
Meanwhile, Samsung has reportedly canceled its plans to release a successor to the Galaxy S25 Edge, a device that was positioned to rival the iPhone Air, citing weak sales performance. With Apple’s flagship models continuing to dominate global markets, the company appears well-positioned to maintain its lead in the premium smartphone segment through 2026.