China's Appetite for Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max Triggers Delivery Setbacks, Delays Up To 3 Weeks

Apple Inc's AAPL latest flagship, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, saw its initial delivery times pushed into October shortly after pre-orders commenced, reflecting robust demand for the premium device. 

Starting at $1,199, the Pro Max experienced delivery delays from September 22 to as late as October 16, moments after pre-orders began. 

These delays affected all available colors and most storage capacities, Bloomberg reports. Meanwhile, many of Apple's 270 U.S. retail stores still offer day-one availability for in-store pickup. 

China is already facing shipment delays of four to five weeks for the iPhone 15 Pro Max and two to three weeks for the Pro device.

Unlike the U.S., Apple has opted to raise prices for premium models in key markets like China, Japan, and India as consumer sentiment of premium purchasers remains indifferent to price hikes. 

In China, which represents nearly 20% of Apple's total sales, iPhone 15 prices have increased, particularly for higher storage options. 

With a starting price of $100 higher than the previous year, the clamor for pre-orders suggests that Apple's pricing strategy is not deterring customers. 

In contrast, the standard iPhone 15 Pro, featuring a smaller screen, experiences more limited delays, primarily affecting the natural titanium model in specific storage capacities. 

Meanwhile, the lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models do not show immediate delays on Apple's website.

When pre-order availability commenced, numerous users reported temporary order placement difficulties and occasional crashes of Apple's mobile store app, indicating substantial initial demand. 

The iPhone 15 Pro series represents a significant upgrade from last year, introducing a titanium casing, enhanced camera zoom capabilities, and a faster processor built on 3-nanometer architecture.

Price Action: AAPL shares traded lower by 0.35% at $175.23 on the last check Friday.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.