[Featured Image: A fan-made render of the rumored iPhone 15 Ultra (Image credit: 4RMD]
Apple events used to be the hot tech ticket. With waning smartphone demand across the globe and evolutionary updates, iPhone announcements aren’t what they used to be.
September 15th is Apple’s next iPhone event and you should expect more than new features from the device.
The next iPhone is expected to look the same as the iPhone 14. It’ll get the latest A16 processor from the iPhone 14 Pro line, and enhanced camera, and a rumored titanium case. The titanium case should result in a lighter device and will be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro line. Apple is also expected to ditch lightning connectors in favor of the USB-C standard to meet European Union regulations.
The deepest rumors for this new device surround its price. Smart money is wagering Apple will raise prices either $100 or $200 for the Pro lineup. This will push iPhone prices to $1,099 for the Pro and $1,199 for the Pro Max.
You could be an iPad for about the same price or a Mac Air.
Smartphone As Commodity
We live in a world of cheap 5G chips being made by embargoed companies and running out of physics for microprocessors. Apple and Samsung announce new models each year with fewer and fewer new features. Consumers can now expect a speed boost, more memory, and incremental improvements to already fantastic cameras. We’re almost reached saturation in the smartphone market. Almost every nation has a mobile carrier and a local phone. Would-be consumers aren’t interested in yearly upgrades any more because there aren’t compelling features.
Getting excited about fingerprint and facial unlock is no longer special, and we’re tired of being tethered to things all of the time.
Why should we get excited?
Testing the Luxury Electronics Market
iPhones are a luxury consumer product. Even Apple’s base models cost more than the $29.99 Android burner phones you can purchase off the shelf. Apple has been ordering fewer phones. The company is rumored to be ordering 80 to 90 million iPhone 15’s instead of the 90 to 100 million iPhone 14’s in its last order.
In order to keep up their screaming profit and growth demands Apple has to make money somewhere. Apple’s now testing how much its customers are willing to pay. iPhone Pro owners were paying just under the $1,000 mark. If people are buying fewer phones, maybe they can make up those billions with a price increase.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens. I’m not sure folks will lineup to buy a new $1,099 iPhone Pro. Even with titanium and curved screen, I’m not sure it’s enough. There just aren’t enough features. Our very own El Jefe, a self-proclaimed Apple fanboy, has said he’s holding out until Apple gets rid of the notch at the top of the screen. I think he’ll be holding out for a long while.
-MJ