The most favored is iPhone 13 Pro Max with 70 percent pre-orders, followed by iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro, each 12.5 percent, according to data from retail chains acquired by VnExpress.

But the iPhone 13 mini, the smallest and cheapest of the lineup, is set to see shortages due to a lack of supply.

For retail chain CellPhoneS, only 2 percent of its iPhone 13 imports are mini.

"We might only meet 50 percent of customer demand," said spokesperson Nguyen Lac Huy.

The unofficial market, where buyers pick up the phone in Singapore and Hong Kong and bring them back to Vietnam, does not seem to have a lot of supply for iPhone 13 mini either.

"We only imported a small number as there is almost no demand from customers," said a smartphone vendor in downtown Hanoi.

Last year, the iPhone 12 mini was also the least favorite. Many stores had to repeatedly lower prices to get rid of their inventory.

Industry insiders say Vietnamese prefer the most expensive iPhones.

The four models of the iPhone 13 line is set to be officially delivered to Vietnam starting Oct. 22.