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Apple asks suppliers to ramp up iPhone 17 production after strong demand

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Apple has instructed suppliers to increase production of the entry-level iPhone 17 by at least 30%, after stronger-than-expected pre-orders last weekend, according to The Information. The move indicates that more consumers are opting for the $799 standard model over the premium Pro versions, which start at $1,099.

Apple reportedly asked Luxshare Precision, one of its two main Chinese assemblers alongside Foxconn, to boost daily output of the iPhone 17 by about 40%. The company has not commented on the report.

The surge in demand for the lower-cost iPhone comes as Apple seeks to revive growth in its flagship product line. The new lineup includes the thinner iPhone Air, part of Apple’s effort to lure buyers in a sluggish upgrade cycle. Notably, the iPhone 17 incorporates screen and camera upgrades once exclusive to the Pro models, narrowing the performance gap with higher-priced versions.

Analysts say the trend highlights growing price sensitivity among consumers, particularly in China and other key markets. While strong sales of the entry model may help Apple protect its market share, they could also pressure profit margins, as buyers shift away from Apple’s traditionally higher-margin Pro devices.

Apple’s iPhone 17 launch draws long queues in Beijing, Pro Max tipped as bestseller

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Apple’s new iPhone 17 launch attracted large crowds in Beijing on Friday, with around 300 customers lining up outside the flagship Sanlitun store to collect pre-ordered devices. The turnout suggests a promising start for Apple in China, its second-largest market, where it has faced declining shipments and fierce competition from local rivals Xiaomi and Huawei.

Among those queuing, 35-year-old Shuke Wang picked up the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which starts at 9,999 yuan ($1,406) and is expected by analysts to be the top-selling model of the series. Wang praised the redesign but noted the orange version looked “too flashy.” Apple highlights the Pro Max’s extended battery life as a key feature.

The base iPhone 17 offers a brighter, more scratch-resistant screen and an upgraded front-facing camera optimized for horizontal selfies. Meanwhile, the iPhone Air model introduces support for eSIM in China—pending regulatory approval from the country’s telecom giants—though Apple has not opened pre-sales for it. Analysts view the Air as a testing ground for slim designs that may eventually feed into foldable iPhones, though compromises in battery, camera, and audio quality could dampen its appeal among Chinese consumers.

Apple’s shipments in China fell 6% year-on-year in Q3, according to Counterpoint Research, but analysts predict a rebound. Omdia expects iPhone shipments in China to climb 11% in the second half of 2025, helping Apple to a 5% global full-year growth. The Pro Max model, driven by its major redesign, is projected to outperform last year’s 16 Pro Max and dominate Apple’s sales in China by 2026.

Google brings Gemini AI to Chrome after antitrust ruling spares breakup

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Google announced it is rolling out its Gemini AI models directly into the Chrome browser for U.S. desktop users starting Thursday, marking one of the company’s most ambitious integrations of AI into its core products. The move comes just weeks after a federal judge spared Google from a forced breakup in a high-profile antitrust case but ordered it to share data with competitors to level the playing field in online search.

The Gemini add-on will first be available on Mac and Windows desktops in English, with plans to expand soon to Chrome’s iOS app. Business rollouts will follow in the coming weeks through Google Workspace, and mobile integrations are also on the way.

Gemini in Chrome will be tied more deeply into other Google services such as Calendar, YouTube, and Maps, enabling multi-step “agentic” capabilities in the coming months. These include finding previously visited webpages, summarizing content across multiple sites, and carrying out automated tasks on a user’s behalf.

The move positions Google against rivals developing “agentic browsers,” such as Perplexity, which recently offered $34.5 billion in cash for Chrome and launched its own AI browser, Comet.

Judge Amit Mehta’s September ruling allowed Google to keep control of Chrome and Android but barred exclusive contracts with device makers and browser developers. The decision still permits Google to pay partners like Apple to feature its search engine, reinforcing its dominance in search. Meanwhile, reports suggest Apple has discussed adopting Gemini AI to power a revamped Siri, further tightening ties between the two companies.