# Jeff Pu cuts iPhone 18 Pro builds to 72 million after a soft pre-order start

Source: https://idevice.com/jeff-pu-cuts-iphone-18-pro-builds-to-72-million-after-a-soft-pre-order-start
Published: 2026-09-15

> If you want an iPhone 18 Pro, most models aren't hard to get. The real waits are on the Pro Max, and one analyst now expects Apple to build fewer Pro phones and fewer iPhone Duos.

GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu says early wait times for the [iPhone 18 Pro](https://idevice.com/phones/iphone-pro/roadmap) are "lukewarm," and his [latest investor note](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/iphone-18-pro-orders-muted-start/) cuts his Pro and Pro Max production estimate to 72 million units. He puts the soft start down to limited spec upgrades and higher prices, especially on the bigger storage tiers. The Pro starts at $1,199 and the Pro Max at $1,299, and the 2TB models reach $2,399 and $2,499. The lower build number, he says, comes from constraints with the new variable aperture camera.

Where there is a wait, it's mostly on the Pro Max. Pu counts three to four weeks for 256GB and 512GB Pro Max models in every color in the US, while nearly every iPhone 18 Pro is available immediately. A day earlier, [Apple's US store was quoting](https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/14/iphone-18-pro-pro-max-pre-orders-now-delayed-to-october-for-most-models/) October 6 to 13 for every Pro Max configuration and September 29 to October 6 for every Pro. Pu also expects some Pro Max buyers to hold out for the [iPhone Duo](https://idevice.com/phones/iphone-fold/roadmap), which opens for pre-order on October 16 at $1,999. He cut his 2026 Duo build estimate from 7 million to 6 million, citing trouble producing the hinge.

## Sources

- [MacRumors](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/iphone-18-pro-orders-muted-start/) (MacRumors)
- [9to5Mac](https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/14/iphone-18-pro-pro-max-pre-orders-now-delayed-to-october-for-most-models/) (9to5Mac)