Apple's iPhone sales in China have surpassed those in the United States for the first time, contributing to Apple potentially becoming the biggest player in the smartphone market this year, despite global smartphone shipments being on track to be the worst in a decade due to economic headwinds in China and the US, according to Counterpoint Research.
India has become an attractive destination for global electronics manufacturers, with companies like Apple, Cisco, and Luxshare setting up manufacturing operations in the country to diversify from China and tap into India's large market, workforce, and vibrant presence of micro, small, and medium enterprises; however, there is a need for policy intervention to ensure growth extends beyond assembly units and focuses on creating an ecosystem for component manufacturing and value-addition to move up the value chain.
Apple plans to release the iPhone 15 in India simultaneously with its global launch in mid-September, signaling the company's progress in diversifying its supply chain away from China.
Tech giant Apple has lost $200 billion in market value over the past two days after China banned its government from using iPhones, resulting in a 3.4% drop in shares and making Apple one of the worst performers in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
The launch of the latest iPhones by Apple aims to boost consumers and investors amidst falling share prices caused by deteriorating international relations, with tensions between Beijing and Washington threatening sales in China, one of Apple's biggest markets.
Apple's recent stock decline due to Chinese government restrictions on iPhones and foreign-branded devices represents a buying opportunity, as China's past restrictions have not significantly impacted sales and Apple's attractive valuation and strong prospects suggest a rebound.
Apple has increased the prices of its latest iPhones in countries like China, Japan, and India, while keeping prices the same in the U.S., as it aims to target premium users and reinvigorate growth in key markets. Although the price hikes are mainly for higher storage options and the more expensive models, Apple has also implemented price cuts in certain regions to target budget-conscious consumers.
Apple has reduced the prices of its iPhone 14 series in China after the release of the iPhone 15 lineup.
Apple is facing growing troubles in China, with tensions rising between the US and China, the ban on government employees using iPhones, and China's economic woes, prompting the tech giant to shift its focus to India as a potential market for growth.
If you had bought a top-of-the-line iPhone every time Apple released a new model instead of buying Apple stock, you would have spent around $16,000 on iPhones and made a profit of approximately $131,000 if you had bought the stock instead.
With the right reforms, India has the potential to become the next engine of global growth, benefiting from major economic re-alignments caused by China's slowdown and the US diversifying its supply chains. Major corporations are already investing in India, recognizing its potential. However, India needs to overcome challenges such as high tariffs, infrastructure improvements, and regional cooperation to fully realize its manufacturing potential and attract foreign investment.
Apple supplier Foxconn aims to double its workforce and investment in India by next year, as it seeks to move away from China and expand its presence in India.
Apple is expected to increase its share of India's smartphone sales with the release of its high-end iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models, projecting to account for 7% of all smartphone sales in the country from July to December, according to market researcher Counterpoint.
People in China lined up at an Apple store in Beijing to buy the new iPhone 15, defying concerns about nationalist sentiment affecting Apple's sales in the country, with iPhone 15 sales via JD's Dada one-hour delivery app surging by 253% compared to last year's iPhone 14.
This article mentions the stock of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL). The author's recommendation is to buy Apple's stock.
The author's core argument is that Apple's historical growth and expanding margins make it an attractive investment. They also discuss the pricing strategies and innovations of Apple's new iPhone lineup, suggesting that it will drive sales growth. The author also addresses the potential challenges of prolonged upgrade cycles and the risks associated with the Chinese government's actions towards Apple. They provide valuation metrics and projections for Apple's future revenue and stock price.
Sales of Apple's iPhone 15 in China have been disappointing compared to its predecessor, with market analysts attributing this to weak consumption and the popularity of rival Huawei; however, in the US, the new iPhone is expected to show a double-digit rise in the first nine days of sales compared to 2022.
Google plans to manufacture its Pixel smartphone lineup in India, with the intention to start local manufacturing next year, in a move that supports its commitment to expanding production to meet the growing demand for Pixel devices and reinforces its commitment to the Indian market.
Demand for the iPhone 15 in China is lower than expected, facing stiff competition from Chinese smartphones, but sales remain strong in the US, and Apple is banking on increased interest in premium smartphones in India and a "seasonal recovery" in the European market to balance the scales, while analyst Jeff Pu predicts that the iPhone 16 models will be powered by chips from the A18 family instead of the A17 Pro.
