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Looking at the market situation in the first quarter of 2026, the best-selling model was actually the base model iPhone 17, which is quite interesting. It not only outsold other brands’ models, but even its own Pro series was surpassed, indicating that the acceptance of this generation of standard version is indeed quite high.

Overall, the iPhone 17 series performed well globally, especially in key markets like China and the United States, where sales remained relatively stable. Apple also mentioned in its earnings report that this quarter’s performance was one of the best in its history for the same period.

In terms of specific data, iPhone sales in the Chinese market increased by approximately 20%, while overall iPhone revenue rose to $85.3 billion, a significant increase compared to $69.1 billion in the same period last year. Breaking down these figures, the core driver of this growth was the standard iPhone 17, followed by the Pro Max and Pro models.

This sales pattern aligns with typical iPhone sales patterns. When a new phone is first released, the high-end models tend to sell first, but as time goes on, more users switch to more affordable versions, and the standard version often starts to gain traction during this phase.

In terms of specific market share, the standard iPhone 17 accounted for approximately 6% of new smartphone sales in the first quarter of 2026, a figure sufficient to make it the highest-selling single model of the quarter. In other words, the best-selling model this time was not the one with the highest specifications, but rather the more balanced and more affordable one.

This shift actually aligns quite well with iPhone’s usual pattern. When it’s first released in the fourth quarter of 2025, the Pro and Pro Max models will initially capture a surge in demand, with many users prioritizing the higher-spec models. However, by the beginning of the following year, the demand for upgrades begins to slow, and the market focus naturally shifts to the standard version. This is why the basic model often finds it easier to top the sales charts during this phase.

Looking further into this cycle, it becomes clear why there’s talk of “separate releases.” Releasing the Pro series in the fall and delaying the standard version theoretically allows for a longer period of product hype. However, these are currently just speculations; whether Apple will actually adjust the release schedule remains to be seen.

The standard iPhone 17 now boasts highly attractive “Pro” features.

One significant change in this generation of iPhone 17 is that the gap between the standard version and the Pro version has been narrowed considerably. Many key features that were previously exclusive to the Pro version are now gradually being made available to lower-end models. For example, the addition of ProMotion high refresh rate makes the smoothness of use very close to that of high-end models.

Screen sizes are no longer as distinct as before; in daily use, the difference in viewing experience between the two is actually not significant. The real difference lies in the imaging system, such as advanced features like telephoto lenses, and some detailed configurations.

For everyday use, including social media, video, and gaming, the standard version already covers the vast majority of needs. In other words, it’s no longer just a “good enough” option, but rather close to a “comprehensive” one.

This is why, for many people, the reasons for not choosing the Pro version have decreased. The standard version strikes a good balance between price and experience, which is one of the reasons why this generation has performed better in sales.

The iPhone Air, which boasts an ultra-thin design, actually had a somewhat disappointing performance this quarter. It didn’t even crack the top ten in global sales for Q1 2026, and market feedback wasn’t as enthusiastic as expected. Some have called it a “failure,” which is a bit of an exaggeration, but it at least shows that it didn’t become a mainstream choice.

Looking at the list structure, after the iPhone 17 series, Samsung occupies a significant number of positions, such as the Galaxy A07 5G and A17 5G, which are more focused on high-volume sales. The standard iPhone 16 is in sixth place, followed by several Samsung devices and the Xiaomi Redmi A5; these are generally more affordable products targeting a wider user base.

Considering the typical sales pattern of iPhones, the performance of the standard iPhone 17 this time is not surprising. Every year, in the initial launch phase, the high-end models attract a core group of users, but as time goes on, more people switch to the more affordable versions, with the basic model typically only seeing increased sales volume later on.

However, this rhythm is not static. As product lines and release strategies may change—for example, there are rumors of adjustments to the release cycle in the future—this “high at the beginning and low at the end” sales curve may see some new changes in the first quarter of 2027.

The release schedule may be adjusted, starting in the fall.

Based on current rumors, Apple may try a different release schedule next. For example, the standard version of the iPhone 18 series may be released in the spring of 2027 along with a model similar to “18e”.

Therefore, it is highly unlikely that it will appear in the sales data for the first quarter of 2027, and the market performance during that period will likely be supported by other models.

Meanwhile, rumors are also circulating about a foldable iPhone. According to current reports, the product may be unveiled in September 2026, or possibly slightly delayed until the end of the year. However, even if the release date is adjusted, the overall impact on sales shouldn’t be particularly significant, as these types of products are more geared towards early adopters and the high-end market, and are not primarily driven by high-volume sales.

Conversely, the fall season will still be dominated by the Pro series. High-end models like the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will continue to attract users who are willing to upgrade immediately, and this is unlikely to change in the short term.

What’s truly uncertain is the period of absence of entry-level models. In the past, after the fall launch event, the standard version would gradually take over sales, but if the pace is delayed, it’s difficult to say what users will do during this gap—whether they continue to wait and see or switch to other models.

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