Apple holds off on an iPhone SE refresh as it focuses on maintaining margins for its high-end smartphones in early 2017. (Photo : Getty Images/Tomohiro Ohsumi)
The iPhone SE will turn one year on March 2017 and a refresh should be ahead. Unfortunately, reliable KGI analyst Ming Chi-Kuo sees Apple concentrating on its high-end phones, likely hinting at a slow start for the Cupertino company next year.
Kuo points out that the main reason for higher volume for Apple last year was largely due to the anticipation for the iPhone SE. The demand was there but the case will be entirely different in early 2017.
With that dish, the first half of 2017 will be an erratic one for Apple in what is seen as a business move tied up to its suppliers. According to him, the fact that no new iPhone model is set for early 2017 could force the hand of suppliers in reducing the price on components as early as November or December, Mac Rumors reported.
It seems that Kuo is confident of seeing price reductions happening on the part of suppliers seeing that they have little room to command higher prices for phone components. Samsung and TSMC may be the only ones in a position to stand or employ price increase for certain components as Apple tries to maintain margins.
With no iPhone SE refresh coming, it could be a long year ahead for Apple customers. The wait could, however, be worth it considering many are eager to see the heavily revamped iPhone 8.
As most know, Apple held off on major redesigns for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, saving the big changes for the next flagship. Various rumors tied up to the iPhone 8 are already in the air led by a shift to OLED screen technology, an all-glass body design, Touch ID fingerprint sensor and wireless charging, Forbes reported. Most of the changes expected to be employed for the next iPhone will likely carry on from the iPhone 7.
As for the iPhone SE, it remains to be seen how long it will take Apple to refresh the budget-friendly and smaller version of the Cupertino company’s flagship line.
The video provides you with a bit of a refresher on the iPhone SE which came out last March.
