TLDR
- Apple stock closed at $236.70 on Sept. 15, up 1.1% on strong iPhone 17 preorders.
- Analysts see preorders up 5–10% versus iPhone 16, signaling pent-up demand.
- The iPhone Air launch in China is delayed due to licensing issues with eSIM.
- Analysts remain bullish with price targets up to $270, though some remain cautious.
- Apple’s iPhone revenue grew 13% in Q2, supporting continued earnings momentum.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) stock closed at $236.70 on September 15, 2025, up 1.1% as strong iPhone 17 preorders boosted investor confidence. Shares traded slightly lower at $236.58 in pre-market hours, down 0.05%.
The launch, which began with preorders last Friday, has analysts projecting a stronger cycle than last year.
Wedbush Securities’ Daniel Ives estimates iPhone 17 preorders will be 5–10% higher than iPhone 16, with nearly 20% of Apple’s 1.5 billion users not having upgraded in four years.
The iPhone Air Delay in China
The iPhone Air, Apple’s thinnest-ever model, faces a delay in China due to eSIM licensing requirements. Analysts, including Ives, see this as a temporary setback rather than a structural issue. The Air’s ultra-thin 5.6 mm design could open a new upgrade segment, appealing to users who want a lightweight phone with a larger display.
While the Air’s reception remains uncertain, its distinct design could help broaden Apple’s addressable base.
Analyst Ratings and Price Targets
BofA Securities’ Wamsi Mohan noted shipping times for premium iPhone 17 models are longer than last year, showing strong demand. He maintained a $270 price target and a buy rating. JPMorgan’s Samik Chatterjee also reiterated an overweight rating with a $255 target.
However, Jefferies analyst Edison Lee was cautious, reiterating a hold rating with a $205.82 target, arguing that preorder trends may be overstated.
Apple stock is consolidating with a buy point of 260.10, according to IBD MarketSurge charts, with early entry around 235.12.
Earnings and Revenue Growth
In its fiscal third quarter, Apple reported $44.6 billion in iPhone revenue, up 13% year-over-year, representing about 47% of total sales. That compared with $46.8 billion in the prior quarter, which was only 2% higher year-over-year. The acceleration supports bullish views that the iPhone 17 cycle could drive earnings growth.
Apple’s total revenue rose 10% in the June quarter, while EPS increased 12%, driven by services expansion and a growing installed base.
Valuation and Performance
Apple trades at about 36x earnings, supported by product strength and services growth. Despite recent gains, Apple shares are down 5.1% year-to-date but up 6.9% over the past year. Longer term, the stock has returned nearly 111% over five years, outperforming the S&P 500’s 94.5% return.
With strong iPhone 17 demand and services growth, Apple remains positioned for steady earnings, even with near-term challenges like the iPhone Air’s China delay.
