New reports have revealed that Apple has decided to reduce the production plans for the iPhone 17 series by 15%, in a move reflecting the slowdown in demand for smartphones during this period, despite the strong performance of the series at the beginning of the year. According to information published by the tech leaker Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, based on sources within the supply chain, Apple has reduced its expectations for iPhone 17 production by about 15%.

The report indicated that current sales forecasts for the series may not continue at the levels the company had previously bet on, prompting it to reassess manufacturing and shipment plans during the second half of the year.

Chinese companies are heading in the same direction

Apple does not appear to be the only company facing a slowdown in demand. Reports indicate that major Chinese companies have also begun to reduce their shipment targets. According to leaks, many Chinese companies have reduced their shipment goals by between 20% and 30%. These moves reflect the cautious sentiment prevailing in the global smartphone market as economic pressures continue and users replace their devices at a slower pace.

Despite the decline, iPhone 17 leads global sales

This reduction in production comes despite Apple's strong performance in the first quarter of 2026. According to data from Counterpoint Research, the iPhone 17 is the top-selling smartphone globally during the first quarter of the year, accounting for about 6% of total global phone shipments. The iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro also took second and third place respectively in the list of best-selling phones during the same period.

Apple's production growth in the first quarter

In a separate report by TrendForce, Apple recorded a 19.7% year-on-year increase in production during the first quarter of 2026. The report attributed this growth to the launch of the iPhone 17e and increased production of the iPhone 17 series to meet strong market demand at the beginning of the year. In recent months, Apple has raised prices on several products, including Mac computers, iPads, Apple TV, and HomePod speakers, due to rising memory and storage costs globally. However, the company has not yet raised prices for iPhones, making them one of the few products that have not been affected by the recent price increases within the Apple ecosystem.

Observers believe that reducing production does not necessarily mean the failure of the chain or a decline in its popularity, but may be a precautionary step by Apple to maintain balance between supply and demand and avoid stockpile in markets. The decision reflects the state of anticipation prevailing over the global smart phone sector, amid slow growth and increased competition among major companies.