·  ·  · 

Apple’s iPhone 17 Hits Record Demand – Sales Soar, Stocks Rally (Foldable Hype Builds!)

October 20, 2025
by
Apple’s iPhone 17 Hits Record Demand – Sales Soar, Stocks Rally (Foldable Hype Builds!)
  • Sales Surge: Counterpoint Research reports the iPhone 17 series outsold the iPhone 16 series by 14% in their first 10 days on sale in the U.S. and China [1]. The base iPhone 17 was especially popular – its sales nearly doubled those of last year’s basic model in China [2] after Apple upgraded its chip, display, storage and camera at the same $799 price.
  • Strong Demand: “The base model iPhone 17 is very compelling to consumers, offering great value for money,” says Counterpoint analyst Mengmeng Zhang [3]. In fact, Apple asked assemblers to boost production by ~30-40% for the entry-level iPhone 17, citing stronger-than-expected pre-orders [4]. Early reports even noted long lines at stores, underscoring the surge in demand.
  • Analyst Optimism: Wall Street is taking notice. JPMorgan raised its Apple price target to $280 (from $255) “citing favorable early demand for the iPhone 17 series” [5]. Other firms followed suit – for example, Tigress Financial now targets $305 and Evercore $260 (even UBS lifted its forecast to $220) [6]. JPMorgan expects Apple to sell 236 million iPhones in fiscal 2026 (about +2% year-over-year) and forecasts iPhone revenue growth accelerating into 2027 [7] [8].
  • Foldable iPhone Anticipation: Analysts believe Apple’s next big catalyst is a foldable iPhone. Multiple sources (including the Wall Street Journal) say Apple aims to launch its first foldable iPhone in late 2026 or 2027 [9]. The Nikkei reports Apple is already testing foldable displays (in Taiwan) and planning mass production in India by 2026 [10]. JPMorgan predicts the foldable will kick off a new upgrade cycle, driving “mid- to high-single digit” iPhone unit growth in FY2026 and double-digit iPhone revenue growth in FY2027 [11] [12].

Apple’s blockbuster iPhone 17 launch appears to have jump-started the company’s smartphone sales. Counterpoint’s data suggest the new models are significantly outpacing the previous generation in key markets [13]. Industry analysts say this reflects a sharper upgrade cycle driven by the 17’s major improvements. Indeed, the basic iPhone 17 now offers “a better chip, improved display, higher base storage, [and] selfie camera upgrade – all for the same price as last year’s iPhone 16,” as Mengmeng Zhang notes [14]. These upgrades – once exclusive to the pricier Pro models – have clearly resonated with customers, forcing Apple to ramp up production quickly [15].

Investor sentiment has swung strongly positive. In mid-October, after seeing the early sales data, analysts from JPMorgan and other banks upgraded their revenue forecasts and stock targets. JPMorgan’s $280 target, for example, is based on “favorable early demand” and an outlook of 236 million iPhones sold in fiscal 2026 [16]. With more customers trading in old phones for the new 17 (and next year’s foldable), Apple’s smartphone revenue is expected to grow again after a couple of flat years. One JPMorgan report projects 7% overall revenue growth in FY2026 and 10% in FY2027, driven by iPhone strength and new product cycles [17].

The foldable iPhone – long rumored – adds to the buzz. Apple-watchers note that analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and others now peg a foldable debut in late 2026 [18]. If correct, this would come just as Apple enters its holiday quarter and would likely spur yet another upgrade wave. JPMorgan explicitly mentions the foldable as a catalyst for 2027 growth [19]. (Some reports suggest the first foldable iPhone could cost roughly $1,800–$2,000, though expert Ming-Chi Kuo recently indicated its hinge design may not be as expensive as expected.)

In short, the iPhone 17 launch seems to be reversing a few years of sluggishness. Early sales metrics and analyst checks point to the fastest iPhone growth since before the pandemic [20]. Apple will confirm details when it reports Q4 (Sept) results on Oct. 30, but for now both fans and investors are upbeat. As one JPMorgan analyst put it, the strong 17 demand and a high-end foldable in the pipeline give Apple a solid runway into 2026–27 [21] [22].

Sources: Leading tech and financial news outlets, including Reuters and FT/SSeekingAlpha, as well as market research from Counterpoint [23] [24] [25] [26], provide the basis for these insights and quotes. Each key fact above is cited to its source.

iPhone Fold LEAKS – Skip iPhone 17 For Apple's ULTRA iPhone!
Watch this video on YouTube.

References

1. m.economictimes.com, 2. m.economictimes.com, 3. m.economictimes.com, 4. www.reuters.com, 5. www.investing.com, 6. www.investing.com, 7. www.investing.com, 8. www.investing.com, 9. www.macrumors.com, 10. www.investing.com, 11. www.investing.com, 12. www.investing.com, 13. m.economictimes.com, 14. m.economictimes.com, 15. www.reuters.com, 16. www.investing.com, 17. www.investing.com, 18. www.macrumors.com, 19. www.investing.com, 20. seekingalpha.com, 21. www.investing.com, 22. www.macrumors.com, 23. m.economictimes.com, 24. www.reuters.com, 25. www.investing.com, 26. www.macrumors.com

Mateusz Brzeziński

Technology News

  • SpaceX Considers Record Valuation of Up to $800B; IPO Possible as Soon as Late Next Year
    December 7, 2025, 1:12 AM EST. SpaceX is weighing an insider share sale that could value Elon Musk's rocket-and-satellite company at up to $800 billion, reclaiming the title of the world's most valuable private firm. The board discussed the plan at Starbase in Texas, with timing and pricing contingent on investor interest. An IPO could follow as early as late next year, potentially lifting SpaceX into the ranks of the world's largest public companies. The price reportedly targets more than $400 per share, up from July's $212, implying a multi-hundred-billion-dollar capitalization. The move comes as SpaceX boosts its Starlink satellite internet network and expands its launch cadence with Falcon 9. Elon Musk publicly downplayed fundraising tied to the valuation while signaling liquidity options via stock buybacks.
  • Forget Rigetti: Why IBM Is the Safer Quantum Stock Play
    December 7, 2025, 1:10 AM EST. Quantum stocks have surged, but pure-play names like Rigetti Computing remain high-risk due to tiny revenues and rich valuations. The article instead argues for a safer quantum exposure in IBM, a diversified tech leader with a broader AI and cloud footprint. IBM has unveiled the Nighthawk quantum system (120 qubits, 218 tunable couplers), and its leadership foresees scale-ready quantum computers by 2029. Beyond quantum, IBM invests heavily in Watsonx and other software, services, and hardware offerings, supporting a robust revenue base. This mix reduces risk while still pursuing quantum advantages. The takeaway: favor a multi-dimensional approach to quantum bets-not a single speculative stock like Rigetti.
  • Tesla's FSD Approval in Europe Could Spark 2026 Robotaxi Push, Netherlands RDW Signals Milestone
    December 7, 2025, 12:38 AM EST. Tesla is pressing ahead with FSD expansion, signaling a potential European rollout that could unlock a new wave of robotaxis. After the Netherlands' RDW hinted at confirming European approval in February 2026, investors view the move as a critical stepping stone-even as supervised FSD remains distinct from fully autonomous robo-taxis. In the U.S., Canada, Australia, and other regions, Tesla's current supervised FSD requires a driver, while the long-term plan targets unsupervised operation. If regulators grant broader FSD approval in Europe, Tesla could access a larger pool of potential customers and collect valuable driving data from a growing fleet. While risks persist-regulatory hurdles, data collection, and capital costs-the development underpins the bull thesis that Tesla's value is increasingly tied to FSD and robotaxi potential.
  • SpaceX Sued Over Freeport Valve Explosion in Texas Machine Shop
    December 7, 2025, 12:30 AM EST. A lawsuit has been filed against SpaceX and New Gen Products in Brazoria County, Texas, stemming from a July Freeport valve explosion in a machine shop. The plaintiff, Humberto Benavides, filed on Aug. 15. Benavides alleges life-altering injuries to his ribs, internal organs, and head. SpaceX and New Gen deny the allegations. Attorneys for Benavides say SpaceX and New Gen failed to hire or train qualified workers, with inadequate supervision and an unsafe work environment, and did not take steps to prevent the accident, including violations of federal safety rules. The trial is set for Nov. 9, 2026. Benavides is represented by Noah M. Wexler of Arnold & Itkin.
  • SpaceX Starship mishap could give Blue Origin edge in Artemis 3 landing contract
    December 7, 2025, 12:26 AM EST. SpaceX's Starship program faced another setback after Booster 18 sustained an anomaly during an ambient pressure test, pushing reliance onto Booster 19 for Flight 12. SpaceX targets a Q1 2026 launch of the Starship V3 as part of building an operational lunar-capable rocket. Yet ongoing issues keep NASA and Congress attentive to the Artemis HLS competition for Artemis 3. Meanwhile, Blue Origin advances its Mark 1 lunar lander as a potential alternative, raising questions about which contractor lands astronauts on the Moon in 2027. If SpaceX cannot prove reliability by mid-decade, a provider switch could reshape the Artemis 3 strategy and funding dynamics.