Earlier this year, an interesting report by the very famous analyst Ming-Chi Kuo surfaced that Apple might keep the new A16 chip only for the iPhone 14 Pro models, while the regular iPhone 14 models will get last year’s A15 chip. In a new report, Kuo has now claimed that entry-level and mid-range iPhone models will not feature Apple’s latest chips in the future as the company changes its business strategy.
iPhone 14 with A15 chip
Apple is expected to introduce four new iPhone models this year: iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Max (a larger 6.7-inch version that will replace the iPhone mini), iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. While the regular iPhone 14 models will retain the same design as the iPhone 13 with minimal internal upgrades, the Pro line will get more attention. new screen design and significant camera improvements.
This wouldn’t be the first time Apple has withheld major upgrades, such as a new design, from its more expensive iPhone models. In 2017, the iPhone X was introduced with a completely new design, Face ID and other new technologies, while the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus were better versions of the iPhone 7.
However, both iPhone 8 and iPhone X were powered by the same A11 Bionic chip. Apple followed this strategy with iPhone XR and iPhone XS, iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro, etc. in the following years. followed with Now it seems that everything will change.
Both after Kuo’s report 9-5Mac and Bloomberg independent sources have confirmed this only two of the four iPhone 14 models will get the new, faster chip. Although some analysts believe that Apple will use a more powerful version of the A15 chip with 6 GB of RAM instead of 4 GB in the new phones, the architecture will be the same as that of the iPhone 13 chips.
At first, we believed it might be a temporary move due to the global chip shortage, but Kuo now thinks otherwise.
New business strategy
in the report on his personal blog, Kuo noted that the big differences between the mid-range iPhone 14 and the high-end iPhone 14 Pro should make the more expensive models even more popular with consumers. Previously, the iPhone 14 Pro was expected to account for 40%-50% of the sales of new models by the end of 2022, but now the estimate has been increased to 60%.
But here’s something that’s never been said before: Kuo now claims that from now on, Apple’s latest chips will be exclusive to high-end iPhone models. In other words, the analyst believes that Apple will no longer release entry-level and mid-range iPhone models with the latest and greatest chips.
Reserving the new processor for the more expensive iPhone models will, of course, lead to more people buying those models instead of the cheaper ones, which will result in an increase in the average iPhone price. This means that Apple’s profit from iPhone sales will be even higher. Of course, Kuo notes that this will also benefit camera suppliers for high-end iPhones.
The latest processor chip will be exclusive to high-end models of the iPhone in the future, so a high distribution of high-end iPhone models favoring high-end camera component suppliers will be the norm.
If true, it looks like the days of having the entire iPhone lineup with the same new chip are over. On the other hand, this is not surprising, because Apple does something similar with the iPad set. The more expensive models are equipped with the same chips as the Mac, while the cheaper iPad models stick with iPhone chips.
iPhone 14 launch and availability
If everything goes as planned, Apple will likely launch the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro in September. Please note that availability may be limited at launch due to supply issues.
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