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Apple sent out invitations on Wednesday and announced September 7 as the launch date for its flagship iPhone, where the company is also expected to unveil other gadgets such as new iPads and the Apple Watch ahead of the holiday season.
The event, with the slogan “Far Out,” will be streamed online on YouTube and Apple’s website. Apple’s launch events have been virtual since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, but starting with this year’s WWDC, the company has taken a more hybrid approach, inviting select media to attend the events.
Apple’s September event is dedicated to new iPhones, and this year will be no different. Expect CEO Tim Cook and team to unveil four new iPhone 14 models — or whatever they may be called.
For the past few years, the iPhone lineup has been consistent, consisting of two entry-level models and two high-end models. While the standard model iPhone 14 will still drive sales, Cupertino may look to increase the market share of its “Pro” series in the high-end smartphone market, which is on the rise due to increased cash flow. young, affluent consumers. Current rumors point to changes made to its iPhone 14 line with a clear distinction between the standard and professional models. This will not only simplify the lineup, but also increase the ASP (Average Selling Price) of the iPhone and improve Apple’s market share in the smartphone market.
The standard iPhone 14 is unlikely to get any groundbreaking features. In fact, it will look very similar to last year’s model with the same notch, dual camera setup on the back, with a slight increase in performance and battery life. Despite a bleak economic outlook and rising manufacturing costs, Apple may not change the price of the iPhone 14 and continue to sell its most popular iPhone model at $799 to stay competitive with Android devices from Samsung and OnePlus. $799 will become the new starting price for the iPhone line.
But one iPhone 14 model that many hope could be in high demand during the holiday season will be the new “Max” variant. Analysts and insiders predict that Apple will replace the $699 iPhone mini with the $899 iPhone 14 Max, the latter model boasting a 6.7-inch display but offering the same features and design as the standard iPhone 14. This model gives Apple room for higher fees. from consumers thanks to the large display and larger battery. The $899 iPhone 14 Max will be positioned as an “aspirational” device, despite still being a mid-range offering.
For people willing to pay even more for smartphones, Apple will offer two ultra-premium smartphones — iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Both models will have notchless displays, a 48-megapixel camera, a new A16 processor and improved battery life. A $100 price increase on the iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max is likely, given the increase in component prices and added functionality. Many experts believe that Apple still has room to go higher, and a $100 price increase may not have a negative impact on sales of its “Pro” line. As consumers are willing to pay for larger screens and advanced features, demand for the iPhone 14 Pro series will continue to be high.
All four iPhone 14 models are also said to get an expensive new front-facing camera, which could be why Apple is under pressure to raise the prices of its iPhones. The iPhone 14 launch event will also give Apple an opportunity to highlight iOS 16, an update to its mobile operating system announced in June. The free upgrade is expected to roll out to all new and old iPhones later in September.
In addition to the iPhones, trade analysts expect Apple to release three new Apple Watch models: the Apple Watch Series 8, the updated Apple Watch SE, and the extreme sports Apple Watch. The sporty model is expected to have the company’s largest smartwatch display to date, along with a larger battery, a durable metal case, and an all-new sensor to detect fever by measuring the wearer’s body temperature.
The extreme model of the Watch is expected to cost more, at more than $900. With the “rugged” model of the Apple Watch, experts hope that Apple will enter the niche, but extremely profitable segment of watches aimed at tourists and athletes. Garmin is the biggest player in the extreme smartwatch segment.
Apple’s September 7 event comes at a time when high inflation is overriding consumer concerns and demand for smartphones continues to decline. But Apple is doing better than its peers, and its iPhones remain bestsellers even as smartphone demand otherwise softens. In emerging markets such as India, Apple has benefited from the expansion of the premium smartphone segment. The brand’s recall value, along with the strategy of keeping its iPhone prices higher than the competition, is working for Apple despite its small market share.
With Samsung recently making headlines with the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4, analysts have warned that it might be premature to expect a foldable phone from Apple. Instead, analysts expect Apple to announce new services that will keep consumers locked into the ecosystem. It will be interesting to see how Apple plans to make its iPhones available, a hardware subscription model would make a lot of sense.
