The latest iPhone 17 lineup from Apple Inc. is seeing strong presale activity, which is renewing retail investors and boosting expectations that the tech giant’s stock may soon retest the $250 mark. The confidence comes after Apple’s share price reversed previous downward patterns on Friday, when preorders were opened. Due to huge volume in online message boards, retail sentiment on Apple shares hit a “extremely bullish” 88/100 rating by late Sunday. A potential rate cut by the Federal Reserve and expected preorder data updates were highlighted by one retail investor as catalysts, predicting that Apple shares would soar to $250 from Friday’s closing price of $234.07.
Record-Breaking Preorder Trends in China
Initial data points to blockbuster demand for the iPhone 17 series in China, with sales reportedly surpassing the first-day preorder volumes of the previous generation. According to JD.com, the standard iPhone 17 with 256GB storage was particularly popular among buyers. A GSMArena report indicated that deliveries for preorders are set to begin by September 19, while the Pro Max variant faces a pushed-out delivery date of three to four weeks, signaling October deliveries and sustained consumer demand.
Analyst Avoids Air Model Shipment Delays:
Analysts are unaffected by the setback, even if the distribution of Apple’s most recent Air model has been halted in China due to regulatory worries regarding its eSIM card. Wedbush’s Daniel Ives wrote in a note late Friday that preorders for the iPhone 17 are probably going Apple increase by 5–10% over last year’s initial iPhone sales. Ives expected that Apple would quickly obtain the required clearances, meaning the regulatory pause would not last long. In order to guarantee seamless operations in China, he also emphasized CEO Tim Cook’s skillful handling of business and regulatory channels. The momentum behind Apple’s new iPhones is reportedly indicating a “massive upgrade opportunity” for users this cycle, despite the Air model’s brief delay.
iPhone 17 Series Offers Exclusive Features and Preorder Benefits:
The entire iPhone 17 lineup including the sleek new iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and the flagship iPhone 17 Pro Max packs several upgrades over previous models, driving heightened preorder enthusiasm. Shoppers can choose between enhanced display sizes, upgraded 48MP Fusion cameras, Ceramic Shield 2 for improved device durability, and A19 processors for advanced performance. Preorders opened on September 12, with deliveries and retail availability scheduled from September 19 onward. Customers have a range of buying channels, including Apple’s online store and major retailers, and benefit from offers like bank-backed cashbacks and exclusive bundle and accessory discounts. Those who pre-order through Apple or select partners stand to receive up to six months of No Cost EMI, up to ₹5,000 instant cashback, and complimentary three-month subscriptions to Apple TV+, Music, and Arcade.
Retail Investors Hope for Stock Rally:
Apple shares have declined about 6% year-to-date but regained ground following the strong response to Friday’s preorder event. Wedbush maintains an “Outperform” rating with a $270 price target for Apple, suggesting further upside for the company if preorder volumes continue their current trajectory. Retail traders believe sustained demand, regulatory resolutions in China, and favorable macroeconomic factors could propel Apple’s stock to revisit the $250 mark in the weeks ahead. As delivery windows extend into October for top-end models, all eyes remain on Apple’s next moves and the global market’s reaction to the iPhone 17’s launch performance.
