Demand for the upcoming iPhone 15 series is expected to be lower than last year’s figures for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 Pro, according to reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who says sources believe that shipment forecasts will be “universally weaker in 2H23 than in 2H22.”
In an in-depth post on Medium outlining how Apple’s earnings report on August 3 will affect the iPhone maker’s stocks and the supply chain, Kuo says “Although the 4Q22 iPhone shipments had declined due to the shutdown of Hon Hai’s Zhengzhou factory in November 2022, most component shipment plans didn’t change significantly in 4Q22. Unless the demand for the iPhone 15 is better than market expectations after launch, most of the suppliers will face growth pressure in 2H23 as the demand for iPhone 15 is lower than that of iPhone 14.”
Apple is expected to announce four new iPhone 15 models in fall, including a 6.1-inch iPhone 15, 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus, 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro, and 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus.
All four 15 models will feature the Dynamic Island and that 120Hz ProMotion will remain exclusive to the high-end iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Image: Apple
Up until recently it was rumored that Apple may adopt a new solid-state button design for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which would see the new models ditch the physical volume and power buttons found on the current-generation devices for a new single non-moving solid-state button that will simulate the feel of physical buttons through software, although it is now understood that these plans have been dropped.
The new devices are rumored to swap out the Lighting connector in favor of USB-C, although according to a rumor, Apple will likely throttle fast USB-C transfer speeds to the high-end iPhone 15 Pro models and not the regular iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.
