iPhone SE 2017: Well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo told Apple Insider, Apple will reframe from refreshing the iPhone SE – 4″ affordable iPhone variant – any time soon. The company is hoping that this would boost iPhone 7’s dropping sale and will necessarily boost the gross margins.
The iPhone SE 2017 was launched on march 2016 and as per Kuo, unlike what was excepted, a new SE set won’t launch in the second fiscal quarter of next year, i.e. March 2017. Kuo hasn’t said anything further regarding the device, but Apple Insider believes there are chances that the handset might be refreshed in later in the next year.
Reception of the device has been critically positive since its launch but Kuo forecasts that in the first half of 2017, the total shipment volume of iPhones will go down due to a number of reasons like slow shipment, lack of enthusiasm especially in the Chinese market. As per Mac Rumours, Kuo argues that the reason for higher shipment of SE in early 2016, was because of “upbeat demand for the iPhone SE.”
In order to maintain high margins on its high-end iPhone models, Kuo said Apple will exert pressure on supplier during the month of November and December to drop prices of their component. Kuo also notes that not all supplier will be convinced. Some who have stronger bargaining positions, like Samsung will resist the rise in the price. Kuo thinks Samsung may even up their price.
iPhone shipment volume was 40.4 million in the second quarter of 2016 and it is like to go down to 35-40 million next year.
Apple recently published iOS 10.2 Public Beta version with a host of bug fixes and tonne of new features like emojis, wallpapers, features about the camera, et al. Apple’s iOS public beta programme is free of cost, unlike the developer’s program. For people who would like to participate in the program, should head this way. Stay tuned for more news and update on Apple iPhone SE.
