Thoughts Heading Into Apple’s Big Event
Hello everyone. Today’s article will be dedicated to going over my thoughts ahead of Apple’s big event taking place tomorrow at Apple Park. I find myself thinking about a few high-level ideas regarding the iPhone and Apple Watch. Let's jump in.
Thoughts Heading Into Apple’s Big Event
For the second year in a row, Apple will unveil an all-new iPhone form factor at its big September event. Last year’s iPhone Air was the most noteworthy iPhone redesign since the iPhone X was unveiled in 2017.
Apple will announce an even more noteworthy iPhone redesign tomorrow with its first foldable device (containing two distinct displays) which is expected to be called iPhone Ultra. (iPhone Duo seems to be the dark horse for device naming.)
Apple is in the middle of its most aggressive iPhone update cycle since the category launched in 2007. Not only is Apple
This article is available exclusively to Above Avalon members. Become a member using the payment forms ($20/month or $200/year) below. Members can continue reading this article here.
An audio version of this article is available to members who have the Podcasts add-on (+$10/month or +$100/year) attached to their Above Avalon membership.
For more information on Above Avalon membership, go here.
Member Privileges and Benefits
Exclusive Analysis. Receive Neil’s exclusive daily articles containing analysis and perspective, 100% related to Apple. Neil is widely considered to have the best understanding of Apple’s business and financial strategy with his research and perspective consumed both within and outside of Apple.
Priority Email Access. Receive timely responses to all email questions and inquiries to Neil.
Archive Access. Read ~2,000 articles previously sent to members. The archive can be viewed here.
Forum Access (Discord). Join otherAbove Avalon members in a forum containing in-depth discussion and Apple debate. The forum can be accessed here. While the form is available to everyone, members have exclusive access to certain channels in addition to receiving special distinction. Neil personally moderate and oversee the forum.
Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent source of Apple analysis. Above Avalon is fully sustained by its members.
The WSJ’s Sketchy iPhone Pricing Article, Does Apple Need Higher iPhone Pricing?, Does iPhone 16e Provide Pricing Clues?
Happy Monday. We will jump into today's update with a recent story from the WSJ regarding iPhone pricing. Let's jump right in.
The WSJ’s Sketchy iPhone Pricing Article
Here’s the WSJ:
“Apple is weighing price increases for its fall iPhone lineup, a step it is seeking to couple with new features and design changes, according to people familiar with the matter.
The company is determined to avoid any scenario in which it appears to attribute price increases to U.S. tariffs on goods from China, where most Apple devices are assembled, the people said.
The U.S. and China agreed Monday to suspend most of the tariffs they had imposed on each other in a tit-for-tat trade war. But a 20% tariff that President Trump imposed early in his second term on Chinese goods, citing what he said was Beijing’s role in the fentanyl trade, remains in place and covers smartphones.
Trump had exempted smartphones and some other electronics products from a separate ‘reciprocal’ tariff on Chinese goods, which will temporarily fall to 10% from 125% under Monday’s trade deal.
New iPhones set to be released in the fall include some design and format changes, including an ultrathin design, The Wall Street Journal has reported.”
Nothing found in this article makes me think the WSJ knows what Apple may or may not do with this year’s new flagship iPhones. The WSJ’s “sources” in the supply chain are not going to know Apple’s iPhone pricing strategy. Apple pricing rumors should be discounted in general as Apple is able to keep pricing information under wraps.
For the past few years, price increases have been rumored ahead of Apple’s busy fall release cycle.
Become a member to continue reading today’s update. Already a member? Read the full update here.
An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.
Member Privileges and Benefits
Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:
Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.
Archive Access. Access previous newsletters sent to members.
Member Forum Access. Access all channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.
Email Access. Receive timely responses from Neil to email inquiries.
Access to Add-ons. Customize a membership with the Podcast, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons.
Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource.