Iphone 15 - Afrikan Heroes

iPhone 15 Price Hike is Subtle Revenue-Boosting Strategy at Apple

September 13, 2023

Apple enacted its long-awaited iPhone price increase with as much subtlety as possible, part of an effort to wring more money from consumers without triggering sticker shock.

On Tuesday, the company boosted the price of just one iPhone model — the top-end Pro Max, which climbed by US$100 to $1 199 — while leaving the other three new versions unchanged. And even the now-costlier new phone will come with twice as much storage, letting Apple argue that it wasn’t really a price increase at all.

The move fits a pattern for the company, which needs to tread lightly with inflation-wary shoppers. Apple isn’t making dramatic changes to its prices, but it’s finding new ways for shoppers to spend more. The company is packing its upscale iPhones with exclusive features, such as better zoom lenses and titanium frames, to nudge shoppers towards bigger-ticket items.

Apple is contending with an industry wide smartphone slump, giving it less leverage to increase prices.

Even Apple’s switch to a USB-C port on the iPhone — an EU-mandated move the company initially opposed — will bring fresh ways to generate revenue. If consumers want their AirPods to have the same connector as the latest iPhones, they’ll have to spend $249 for a new pair. If they want to use their old Lightning chargers, they can buy an adapter from Apple for $29.

Some investors had hoped that Apple would raise prices more broadly, one reason they gave a cool reaction to Apple’s iPhone event Tuesday, according to Evercore ISI analyst Amit Daryanani. The shares slipped 1.7% to $176.30.

But Apple is contending with an industrywide smartphone slump, giving it less leverage to increase prices. Worldwide smartphone shipments fell nearly 7% last quarter, according to IDC, hitting the company’s biggest source of revenue. Troubles in China, where it faces a widening government ban and competition with an advanced new phone from Huawei Technologies, have only added to the pressure.

Unchanged

And so, Apple will keep the lower-end version of the iPhone 15 at $799, while the entry-level Pro model remains at $999 — a price that was considered eye-popping when the iPhone X debuted at that level in 2017.

Though the starting Pro Max will be nearly 10% more expensive than the cheapest iPhone 14 Pro Max, it has 256GB of storage, compared with the 128GB offered previously.

Underscoring the incremental nature of this price increase, Apple didn’t raise the levels of its iPhone 15 Pro Max models with higher amounts of storage. The version with 512GB remains at $1 399, while one with 1TB still costs $1 599. But even with prices staying the same, Apple is able to earn higher margins because the cost of storage has fallen.

Apple is boosting prices more aggressively outside the US. The iPhone 15 Pro will rise by $50 in Canada, with the Pro Max price going up $200. In India, the Pro Max will climb by about 14%.

Some countries, however, are getting a price decrease. In the UK, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are $125 cheaper than their predecessors.

Beyond iPhone pricing tweaks, Apple is generating more revenue from additional services and accessories. The company rolled out two new storage tiers for its iCloud online storage offering: a 6TB plan for $30/month and a 12TB option for $60/month. The top-end iCloud plan had been a 2TB offering for $10.

The new AirPods also reflect Apple’s more aggressive approach. When the company began offering wireless charging on the iPhone, it let AirPods customers purchase new cases that used the same format — rather than forcing them to buy all-new earbuds. This time around, it’s not offering a standalone case that works with USB-C.

Buyers of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max also will need a new cable if they want to get the speedier data transfer speeds promised by the device. Apple is selling one for $69.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Apple Announces iPhone 15 Debut in September

August 9, 2023

Apple fans are eagerly awaiting the launch of the new iPhone 15, which is expected to be unveiled in September 2023. The iPhone 15 is rumored to offer several improvements and features over the previous generation.

According to media reports, the iPhone 15 launch events could take place on September 13, 2023, which is a Monday. This is based on the historical pattern of Apple’s previous events, which usually occur on the second Tuesday or Wednesday of September.

However, the report also notes that there is a possibility of a delay. Another report suggests that the iPhone 15 could be delayed until October 2023 due to the ongoing global chip shortage and supply chain issues.

iPhone 15 to launch in four models: 15, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max, featuring colors like black, white, red, blue, green, and purple. It will also likely feature a 6.1-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels and a refresh rate of 60Hz. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will have a similar display size but with a higher resolution of 1179 x 2556 pixels and 1290 x 2796 pixels respectively.

The iPhone 15 will reportedly have a 48MP primary camera with a larger sensor and improved low-light performance. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will have a similar primary camera but with additional features such as a periscope-style telephoto lens, a LiDAR scanner, and an ultra-wide angle.

The processor of the iPhone 15 will be another key upgrade. The iPhone 15 will be powered by the A16 Bionic chip, which will be based on a 5nm process and offer faster performance and better efficiency. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will have an even more powerful A17 Bionic chip, which will be based on a 3nm process and offer unprecedented speed and capabilities.

The battery life of the iPhone 15 will also be improved thanks to a new stacked battery technology that will allow for more capacity in a smaller space. The iPhone 15 will have a battery capacity of around 3,100 mAh, while the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will have around 3,600 mAh and 4,400 mAh respectively.

The software of the iPhone 15 will be iOS 16, which will introduce new features and enhancements such as improved privacy controls, redesigned notifications, enhanced Siri, and more.