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iPhone SE Unlikely to Receive Refresh in Early 2017
Apple will not refresh the iPhone SE in the first half of 2017, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The lack of refresh comes as Apple attempts to maintain high margins on its high-end iPhone models, Kuo said in a new research note.
Kuo forecasts that total shipment volume of iPhones will decline in the first half of 2017 due to tepid demand in China, slow shipment volume of 4.7-inch iPhones and the lack of an iPhone SE refresh in the second quarter of the year. Kuo argues that shipment volume came in higher in the first half of 2016 due to "upbeat demand for the iPhone SE."
Instead, Kuo believes Apple will exert pressure on its iPhone component makers to drop prices in an effort to maintain its margins. He expects suppliers to begin price reductions on components in either November or December of this year.
However, Kuo notes that not all suppliers will cut prices. Most iPhone component makers, like those that make the device's panels, have weak bargaining positions with Apple due to fierce competition amongst suppliers. Some suppliers, like Samsung, are the main supplier of certain components for iPhones and have stronger bargaining positions than Apple. Kuo believes Samsung may even raise its prices. And finally, Kuo says there are a few suppliers like TSMC that are unlikely to be affected by Apple's attempt to maintain its margins.
Overall, Kuo forecasts that iPhone shipment volume will drop year-over-year in the second quarter of 2017, sitting between 35 to 40 million, less than last year's 40.4 million in the second quarter of 2016.
Apple introduced the iPhone SE in March 2016, packing in many of the iPhone 6s' features and component into a 4-inch frame similar to that of the iPhone 5s. It's unclear what kind of upgrade schedule Apple will adopt for the device, but it's internals are powerful enough to remain a capable phone for a couple of years.
Kuo forecasts that total shipment volume of iPhones will decline in the first half of 2017 due to tepid demand in China, slow shipment volume of 4.7-inch iPhones and the lack of an iPhone SE refresh in the second quarter of the year. Kuo argues that shipment volume came in higher in the first half of 2016 due to "upbeat demand for the iPhone SE."
Instead, Kuo believes Apple will exert pressure on its iPhone component makers to drop prices in an effort to maintain its margins. He expects suppliers to begin price reductions on components in either November or December of this year.
However, Kuo notes that not all suppliers will cut prices. Most iPhone component makers, like those that make the device's panels, have weak bargaining positions with Apple due to fierce competition amongst suppliers. Some suppliers, like Samsung, are the main supplier of certain components for iPhones and have stronger bargaining positions than Apple. Kuo believes Samsung may even raise its prices. And finally, Kuo says there are a few suppliers like TSMC that are unlikely to be affected by Apple's attempt to maintain its margins.
Overall, Kuo forecasts that iPhone shipment volume will drop year-over-year in the second quarter of 2017, sitting between 35 to 40 million, less than last year's 40.4 million in the second quarter of 2016.
Apple introduced the iPhone SE in March 2016, packing in many of the iPhone 6s' features and component into a 4-inch frame similar to that of the iPhone 5s. It's unclear what kind of upgrade schedule Apple will adopt for the device, but it's internals are powerful enough to remain a capable phone for a couple of years.
Tag: Ming-Chi Kuo
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30 months ago
then i just hope that they release a flagship iPhone in a 4 inch size during this September.
30 months ago
"Apple attempts to maintain high margins"...that's the problem. How high of a margin do they need to maintain? They can't continue to expect to maintain high margins. The consumer electronics market does rise and fall and you need to be willing to ride those waves. If you attempt to maintain those high margins even when the market falls you end up with cheap products at expensive prices and that is where Apple is now.
And that's where companies start going down hill.
And that's where companies start going down hill.
30 months ago
Too bad - it's the best designed iPhone and only phone that is comfortable to hold without putting an ugly case on.
Still deal with hand pain on my 7 but I just live with it. Weighed the 7 against the SE but it's just too much of a downgrade in terms of internals.
I call the SE Steve's phone. Everything else is Tim's. And Steve's rules.
Still deal with hand pain on my 7 but I just live with it. Weighed the 7 against the SE but it's just too much of a downgrade in terms of internals.
I call the SE Steve's phone. Everything else is Tim's. And Steve's rules.
30 months ago
iPhone SE is a great budget phone,I love mine it's the best looking iPhone than any other iPhone model,hope they keep refreshing it
30 months ago
If there is not a new Apple phone in the 4 to 4.3 inch screen size in 2017...Then Apple does not get my $$$ in 2017.
30 months ago
you go Tim make more money selling outdated product !!!!!!!
squeeze the heck out of Apple's customers !!!!
squeeze the heck out of Apple's customers !!!!
30 months ago
then i just hope that they release a flagship iPhone in a 4 inch size during this September.
If Apple does not refresh the iPhone SE, then releasing a 4-inch flagship iPhone in September would be a logical decision. However, the CEO of Apple is Tim Cook, a man who is allergic to making logical decisions.
30 months ago
thats ok, SE with A9/2GB on an 1136x640 screen SCREAMS performance
I've been happy with mine :D
I've been happy with mine :D
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