Apple cutting iPhone 16 builds in sign of weak demand, says Barclays

Barclays says the firm’s channel checks indicate that iPhone 16 orders have been cut for the December quarter at a key Taiwanese supplier. Barclays previously discussed shorter lead times across iPhone 16 models globally, both of which indicate softer demand for iPhone 16, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm says Apple may have cut roughly 3M units at a key semiconductor component in iPhones for the December quarter, which, if confirmed, would be the earliest build cut in recent history. Barclays’ sell-through checks point to 15% declines year-over-year for global iPhone 16 in the first week of sales. It also tracked iPhone availability across geographies globally, which suggest softer demand for the16 relative to last year. The firm keeps an Underweight rating on Apple with a $186 price target