The Wait Is Nearly Over, iPhone 7 Availability Increases Despite Heavy Demand

Supply levels of Apple’s new iPhone 7 model have increased slightly in spite of high demand, according to several new reports by market analysts.

Stock polling conducted by Piper Jaffray, a market analyst firm, in 134 Apple Stores showed that 35 percent of iPhone 7 stock keeping units (SKUs) were available for in-store pickup. This is up from the 20 percent that it clocked on Sept. 25, according to The Street. In addition to the stock polling, the analysis firm also added that Apple shares are remaining positive in the iPhone 7 cycle, as well as the potential for next year’s iPhone’s market performance. Demand of Cupertino’s newest flagships continues to appear “very healthy,” according to another firm, Pacific Crest.

Piper Jaffray Analyst Gene Munster also noted that the iPhone 7 model will likely account for around 40 percent of total iPhone units. The iPhone 7 had 61 percent SKU availability, compared to only 8 percent being available for the larger iPhone 7 Plus model. Additionally, availability of the iPhone 7 line in China Unicom stores rated lower than in the US. Only 16 percent of iPhone 7 SKUs were marked as available, with 3 percent of iPhone 7 Plus SKUs being available. The firm also noted that both numbers were in a decreasing trend.

Several market analyst firms have considered the stock check reports to be an overall positive sign of high iPhone 7 demand. The reports also bode well for Apple’s bottom line — Piper Jaffray has increased its exceptions for Apple’s next financial report from $46.5 billion to $47.5 billion in revenue — still short of 2015’s fourth quarter, but $5 billion more than 2014’s financial reports, according to AppleInsider.

Other market analysts have similarly echoed Piper Jaffray’s reporting. IBK Investments & Securities estimate that over 100 million iPhone 7’s will be sold before the end of the calendar year. Additionally, current sales estimates for Cupertino’s flagship are hovering between 70 and 75 million units, according to KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This might be due in part to the chaotic Samsung Galaxy 7 recall and the updated features and dual-lens camera on the iPhone 7 Plus.