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.
The global smartphone market is expected to decline, but IDC predicts that Apple's iPhone market share will reach an all-time high due to trade-in deals, buy-now-pay-later schemes, and enticing features in their upcoming iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The release of the iPhone 15 Pro Max may be delayed by up to 4 weeks due to yield issues with Sony, but it is still expected to be available before Thanksgiving or Christmas, offering potential buyers ample time to purchase the device.
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are expected to have a $100 price increase over the current models, according to analyst Dan Ives, but promotional activities and discounts from U.S. carriers are likely to drive sales and offset potential resistance.
Apple's iPhone 15 launch may face delays due to production issues, resulting in lower stock availability, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to be delayed by up to a month; leaked price details suggest a significant mark-up on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max; Apple is rumored to be preparing a cheaper MacBook to rival the Chromebook, but it risks diluting its brand; the European Union has designated the App Store, Safari browser, and iOS as "gatekeepers" and plans to introduce regulations to prevent anti-competitive behavior; Apple's stock has fallen following restrictions on Chinese officials' use of iPhones.
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 is set to release the iPhone 15 with incremental improvements including a lighter design, better chip, battery life, camera, and a USB-C charging cable, but the smartphone market is slowing down as people hold on to their devices longer and there is less incentive to upgrade.
J.P. Morgan predicts that Apple's iPhone 15 could experience a sales decline due to the launch of Huawei's 5G Mate 60 Pro smartphone.
Apple has reduced the prices of its iPhone 14 series in China after the release of the iPhone 15 lineup.
Apple has launched its iPhone 15 lineup, which includes the high-end iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models, but rival phones from Samsung, Google, and OnePlus offer similar or better specifications.
Various carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Visible, are offering discounts and deals on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models, such as trade-in options and bill credits, ahead of the pre-order day on Friday.
If you can exercise some patience, consider deferring your iPhone 15 purchase to next year, as a better color option may be released and day-one purchasers may encounter issues, while other flagship phones from Google and Samsung may offer more beneficial features for your lifestyle.
The new iPhone 15 models, featuring aesthetic and technological changes including new materials, camera and computing upgrades, and new colors, are available for pre-order, with prices starting at $799 for the base model, and will be released on September 22.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 15 models will begin on September 15th at 5:00 a.m. PDT, with availability in multiple countries, and customers in the US can pre-order and prepare for the launch through a setup process.
Summary: Analysts say that the higher-end models of Apple's iPhone 15 are experiencing strong demand, which is encouraging amid concerns about consumers' spending capacity.
UBS analyst David Vogt's data suggests that initial demand for Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models is softer compared to last year's models, contradicting reports of strong sales, which caused Apple stock to fall.
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.
The release of Apple's iPhone 15 in China is being closely watched, with strong pre-orders indicating demand despite concerns about government curbs and competition from Huawei.
The iPhone 15 lineup, featuring design changes and a switch to USB-C charging, has been met with strong pre-orders and long lines at stores around the world, suggesting that many people are eager to upgrade their devices.
Apple is expected to achieve year-over-year growth in Q4 thanks to better than expected iPhone revenue and profit, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Plus performing well, while the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro may face order cuts if their prices are not reduced, according to Ming-Chi Kuo's analysis based on supply chain sources.
The launch of Apple's iPhone 15, marked by sold-out pre-orders and long queues, comes after the company reported a decline in sales for the third consecutive quarter.
The iPhone 15 has outdated and underwhelming specs, including a lack of an always-on display, low refresh rate, and the use of a previous generation chipset, making it difficult to recommend over other comparable Android flagship devices or even the iPhone 14 Pro.
Apple's iPhone 15 is facing sales challenges in China, with a 4.5% decline compared to the iPhone 14, as competition from companies like Huawei impacts iPhone sales and market dominance.
The global smartphone market experienced a contraction of 8% in the third quarter, reaching its lowest level in a decade due to subdued demand for major brands like Apple and Samsung, which could impact upcoming earnings; however, there is hope that the market could recover in the last few months of the year with the release of the iPhone 15 lineup and the festive season in various regions.
The release of Huawei's Mate 60 Pro and a decline in iPhone sales in China have allowed Huawei to surpass Apple as the top-selling smartphone brand in the country, with analysts predicting that iPhone shipments will continue to decrease due to weak demand.
Demand for Apple's iPhone 15 in China is weaker compared to last year's models, with sales down 4.5% due to competition from Huawei's new Mate 60 smartphone line and a floundering Chinese economy.
Chinese e-commerce platforms are offering significant discounts on Apple's latest iPhone 15, with some prices up to 1,501 yuan ($205.14) below the retail price, as the device has been selling less well in China compared to its predecessor.
The iPhone 15's production costs are significantly higher than its predecessor, with record high component prices, potentially leading to increased retail prices in the future.
