Analysts believe that the iPhone 6S release date will happen earlier than expected, said to be by middle of September 2015, which will allow Apple clear around 49 million units of fresh iPhones. Apple (AAPL) is also predicted to reach $155 per share mostly due on the company's solid "product lineup and ecosystem."
The tech giant is set to close the September 2015 quarter on a high note, according to investment firm UBS, by selling 49 million new iPhones, the bulk of which is of the two new models - the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. The devices are forecasted to hit the market early enough, likely in mid-September, for Apple to beat its record sales posted in the same quarter last year.
Bannered by the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in September 2014, Apple sold 39 million brand new iPhones at the close quarter, Apple Insider said on its report. If the new reading from UBS will hit the mark, the tech giant will add another 10 million from its total quarterly haul in the same period last year, the report added.
The iPhone 6S arrival could also lead to total sales of 245 million units by the end of 2015 as the UBS report pointed out that the next iPhone is likely to benefit from massive upgrade moves. Apple is likely to tap on its existing and massive install base, around 73 percent of which could make the jump this 2015, the report added.
In the same report, UBS marked AAPL as buy and set its price target for the stock at $150.
Morgan Stanley, however, is more optimistic despite the 15 percent decline suffered by AAPL in the past month as well as the downgrade label from some analysts. While noting that Apple stock is "overweight and volatile," at the moment, Katy Huberty of Morgan Stanley provided a generally positive outlook, Business Insider said in a report.
Huberty is convinced that no further slide is expected from Apple and AAPL will likely hit a high of $155 per share and the most of the credit goes to the upcoming iPhone refresh.
Present indicators also showed that Apple's gross margin is largely insulated from alarming deterioration and Huberty cited the following as main reasons:
- Competitive product lineup
- Stickier iOS ecosystem compared to chief rival Android
- And a more robust product and services road map
The Morgan Stanley reports echoes the 49 million September sales estimate floated by UBS as Huberty noted that the next iPhone cycle, the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus release date that is, stands to generate record revenues for Apple, near and long term.