Despite a sluggish market, Apple would increase its initial order of 90 million iPhones to 95 million, according to the Taiwan Economic Daily.
The iPhone 14 lineup is expected to consist of four devices – iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Max, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max – and according to the report, Apple expects the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the top-of-the-range, best-selling model.
The iPhone supply and assembly chain is huge, and ramping up production takes time. This 5% increase must be passed on to the various manufacturing and assembly companies, including TSMC, Pegatron, Hon Hai, Largan and Luxshare.
The iPhone should make its appearance in September
Going back to the launch of the iPhone 13, iPhone revenue in the first quarter was $471.6 billion, up from $65.6 billion in the previous quarter. A stronger iPhone 14 launch quarter, combined with a greater focus on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, could mean an even stronger quarter for Apple.
The iPhone 14 is expected to appear in September, and it’s rumored to feature the A16 processor, a new 48-megapixel rear camera, a smaller notch on the display, and an always-on screen. alight.
What’s interesting about this upcoming release is that the iPhone 14 will have very similar hardware specifications to the iPhone 13, as Apple reportedly intends to reuse components such as the processor, the camera and screen. Will rebranding old hardware work for Apple? And if so, will we see other manufacturers do the same?
The gap with the Pro range
Apple is now in a situation where it needs to make another push into the Android market to keep iPhone sales high. Apple CEO Tim Cook has made it clear how important these “switchers” are to iPhone results, with record numbers of people switching from Android to iOS.
However, Apple’s ongoing obsession with creating a feature gap between the iPhone and the iPhone Pro line could very well make the iPhone 14 a secondary choice for those who want to move away from Android.
Take the upcoming iPhone 14 as an example. We already know a lot about what will differentiate the “budget” iPhone 14 and 14 Max from the more expensive iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max. It looks like the lower-end iPhone 14 and 14 Max will keep the existing A15 Bionic chip, the same 12-megapixel rear camera, and the same low-temperature polySilicon (LTPS) OLED screens that won’t be able to support the new iPhone 7 feature. always-on display of iOS 16 and will not support the ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate. Current reports indicate that only the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will receive the A16 Bionics chip, the new low-temperature polycrystalline oxide OLED TFT display (LTPO) and the new 48-megapixel camera with better low-light capability.
But the problem for those switching from Android to iPhone is that they may already have a phone with a higher megapixel camera or an always-on screen, even if they are using an old smartphone. a few years old or which is not the flagship model. The goal of the endless upgrade and upgrade cycle is to get better hardware and a better experience. Those making the switch to the iPhone may not be able to make it, unless they’re willing to pay full price and opt for the iPhones Pro or Pro Max.
The popularity of Apple’s Pro and Pro Max suggests that this marketing strategy is working very well. But it also creates a feature gap between the iPhone and Android smartphones, and as that gap widens, Apple will have a harder time selling the iPhone to budget-conscious Android users who have the used to being able to access features like always-on display and high-megapixel cameras without having to shell out over a thousand dollars.
Source: ZDNet.com (here and here).