An always reliable source predicting Apple's future plans, Ming-Chi Kuo is back with some new iPhone news. The analyst claims all 2017 iPhones will feature a redesigned glass case for wireless charging and production volume of the devices will be a record 120 to 150 million units, surpassing the previous record of 110 to 120 million for its 2014 iPhone 6 series.
Now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday have passed, it's safe to assume that Apple benefitted from carriers and retailers offering huge savings on the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
A just released survey shows that the company's MacBook is the second most wanted gift this holiday season, while the iPhone remains in the number one position.
2017 iPhone Sales To Shatter Records
Apple has seen a year-on-year decline in iPhone sales but it looks like 2017 could be a very good and record-setting year for the company. KGI Securities Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo issued a research note saying that Apple suppliers are preparing for a massive upgrade cycle that could reach a record setting 150 million units for Apple's new iPhones in 2017. He notes that the premium OLED iPhone 8 will appeal to high-end users desiring a completely redesigned device, while the iPhone 7s will be geared towards the entry level.
"Our rationale is as follows: (1) the OLED model may trigger replacement demand among high-end users given its completely all-new-design form factor and notably superior specs in comparison to the TFT-LCD models; and (2) the new 4.7" iPhone, featuring glass casing and wireless charging, looks well positioned to tap replacement demand at the entry level.", states Kuo.
While it appears that Apple's latest iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are selling very well, with availability extending into the holiday season, Apple for the first time announced that it would not release first weekend sales totals for its new smartphones. We can bet that will change when it unveils its 2017 flagship iPhones in September. Kuo believes that demand for the new iPhones will be at a record high and will shatter the 110 to 120 million sales record the iPhone 6 series achieved.
2017 iPhone 7s, iPhone 7s Plus And iPhone 8 Features
While the iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus are expected to retain 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch LCD displays, the 10th anniversary iPhone 8 is rumored to feature a 5.1-inch to 5.2-inch curved OLED display, similar to the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. All models will be powered by an Apple A11 processor, run iOS 11 and will reportedly become the first iPhones to support wireless charging, a feature iPhone fans have been begging for. The iPhone 7s Plus and iPhone 8 are also expected to ship with an upgraded version of the dual-lens camera currently found on the iPhone 7 Plus.
We'll keep you updated on any additional iPhone news as it becomes available.
