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Apple is hoping to keep sales stable, as the company reportedly expects that iPhone 16 shipments will be about 10 per cent higher than its 2023 figures.
According to Bloomberg, the iPhone 16 may not look significantly different, but it will still run on the tech giant’s new suite of AI capabilities, called Apple Intelligence. That said, the iPhone 15 Pro will also have this feature, so it may not be the main selling point.
Apple had a good quarter. Wasn't amazing, China had some weakness.
But overall, I think it could be good enough to maintain their multiple even if they aren't showing much growth.
The goal now is the iPhone 16 roll out. pic.twitter.com/yHVlYvJhad
— amit (@amitisinvesting) August 1, 2024
The standard models of the iPhone 16 will add the Action button, previously exclusive to last year’s higher-end models. However, with iOS 18 introducing a more customizable Control Center and adaptable Lock Screen options, the Action button may not be all that useful.
Will the iPhone 16 and AI features save Apple?
Bloomberg also reports that despite this, the California-based company is still counting on its AI features to keep itself afloat. In July, Apple stated that it aimed to ship at least 90 million iPhone 16 devices in the latter half of this year. While there may not be a gold rush of purchases for the model, the company still surpassed Samsung in Q4 of 2023 as the top smartphone maker, according to the research firm IDC.
However, this year the tide turned and Apple lost its title as the leading global mobile phone seller due to a significant drop in sales compared to its South Korean competitor. The decline reflects the difficulties the U.S. company faces in its third largest market, where some Chinese firms and government bodies restrict employees’ use of Apple devices.
With its plan to introduce the new affordable iPhone 4 SE and a slimmed-down iPhone 17 model, Apple may be able to return the iPhone to meaningful growth in 2025.
Although Apple is postponing the launch of Apple Intelligence until October, it appears there are no plans to delay the iPhone 16 series, which remains scheduled for release on September 10. Consequently, users will need to wait for the release of iOS 18.1 to access Apple Intelligence. It remains to be seen whether this will be enough to put Apple back in the top spot.
Featured image: Apple / Canva
