The Apple Company (AAPL) announced its new iPhone 15 launch on Tuesday (9/12). Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, also released its highly-awaited Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 during the company's annual launch event, which was known as "Wonderlust" this year. According to Kaiann Drance, Apple's Vice President of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing, the significant advancements in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus represent a giant leap forward with exciting innovations that make a real difference in users' lives. In the last five years, the iPhone's global market share has consistently increased, driven by strong sales in key regions such as China, Japan, India, Europe, and the United States. In the U.S., its largest market, the iPhone now commands a 50% market share, compared to 41% in 2018. However, introducing Apple's latest flagship devices coincides with a challenging period for the smartphone industry, which is facing unprecedented obstacles. Through the first nine months of the year, Apple's iPhone sales declined from US$162.9 billion to US$156.8 billion compared to the previous year's period. Shares of Apple dropped 7.2% in the week leading up to the unveiling of the company's latest handset. Historically, Apple's stock has exhibited a pattern of declining share prices during product launches. Despite this long-standing trend, this year's iPhone 15 launch stands out as having witnessed the most substantial decline ever in the week preceding the product unveiling.
Regardless of the recent decline, Apple's growth catalyst prospects appear promising with the introduction of the iPhone 15 Pro, featuring a titanium case and a faster chip that enhances camera performance and mobile gaming capabilities. In response to a global smartphone market downturn, Apple's decision not to raise prices showcases its commitment to maintaining its high-end product status. While prices for the Pro series start at US$999, the company's pricing strategy seems sustainable, particularly given the increasing importance of smartphones in our daily lives. Technology analyst Carmi Levy emphasizes that, despite the competitive landscape, Apple remains a premium brand, with consumers willing to invest more in their smartphones. The iPhone 15's notable improvements include a brighter display, a 48-megapixel camera, and the incorporation of 100% recycled cobalt in its batteries. Additionally, the adoption of USB-C charging cables aligns with industry standards, offering consumers greater convenience and fewer cable types to manage. Although the iPhone 15 represents an evolution rather than a revolution, it provides a compelling reason for consumers to upgrade. Apple's ability to adapt to changing market dynamics while delivering innovative products underscores its resilience in the face of economic uncertainties, especially in markets like China. Despite the current challenges, Apple's performance in the smartphone market remains relatively stable compared to its competitors. As the global smartphone market evolves, Apple's commitment to quality and user experience continues to drive its success, reinforcing its position as a leading tech giant.
Despite the strengthening quality of Apple, its dip might come to one's revelation. Although, the US stocks' overall performance was also on the downsides. Oracle struggled to carry a positive trend by plunging 13.5%, falling deeper than Apple's stocks. During Apple's annual launch event, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro were supposed to garner customer's interest in the seemingly new features at the same given price points of previous models. While consumers are ecstatic about releasing the new product, downward trends are still seen in the company's portfolio. Apple's new products could not uplift the September stocks' slump, sinking the most valuable company by 1.7%. Tracking historical patterns, the tech company tends to slip shortly after revealing its products. However, they should recover a few days after the delayed reaction. To put it differently, a stock dip was not an accurate representation of the investors losing interest in the company. Considering the brand's reputation in quick recoveries from the market for the past decade could not sway loyal investors. In fact, all of the "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks suffered on Tuesday (9/12) – Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Nvidia, and Tesla. Finally, investors are still awaiting the supposed bounce back of the company's stocks and the post-launching performa.
Sources:
CNBC
New York Times
Reuters
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