Apple, which is expected to launch new iPhones and smartwatches today, is expected to host another product launch event next month, according to a forecast by the US venture capital firm Loup Ventures.
The new devices announced at both events will account for between 40-50 per cent of the company’s revenue over the next 12 months, it predicted.
The gadgets will be “foundational to the multi-year digital transformation wave”, which will gain momentum with the widespread adoption of fifth-generation network connectivity and latest technology such as augmented reality and artificial intelligence.
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The iPhone through the ages: Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduces the iPhone to the world in San Francisco, California, on January 9, 2007. It had a 3.5-inch screen and 2MP camera. Reuters -
The iPhone 3G was launched in 2008 with a faster 3G connection. It also added location services. Reuters -
The iPhone 3GS was released on June 19, 2009. It was twice as fast as its previous version. AFP -
The iPhone 4 was released on June 24, 2010. It featured FaceTime for the first occasion as well as a retina screen. Reuters -
A later release, this time on October 14, 2011, the iPhone 4S had a new dual-core processor. Reuters -
Apple CEO Tim Cook takes to the stage following the reveal of the iPhone 5 in San Francisco, California, on September 12, 2012. This was the first 4-inch screen and the phone was faster and slimmer. Reuters -
The iPhone 5C arrived on September 20, 2013 and was less expensive and very similar to the iPhone 5 except it came with colourful casing. Getty Images -
The iPhone 5s came at the same time as the 5C and introduced touch ID and a motion data processor as health and fitness apps started to come to the fore. Getty Images -
The iPhone 6 marked another double launch when unveiled on September 9, 2014. The 6 had a 4.7-inch screen, faster processor and improved camera. AFP -
The iPhone 6 Plus had a 5.5-inch screen and was $100 more expensive. Reuters -
The iPhone 6s came on September 25, 2015 with 3D touch and a camera that could shoot 4K video. EPA -
The iPhone 6s Plus is displayed at Tokyo's flagship store on September 25, 2015. Both new phones came in a new colour - rose gold. AFP -
Unveiled on March 21, 2016, the iPhone SE had the same design as the iPhone 5 and saw a return to the 4-inch screen which was preferred by some users. It was more affordable and hence lacked features such as Touch ID. AFP -
The iPhone 7 announced on September 7, 2016, said somewhat controversially goodbye to the audio jack. Reuters -
The iPhone 7 Plus had a dual camera added. AFP -
The iPhone 8 was released on September 22, 2017 and had a new glass and aluminium design, retina HD screen. Reuters -
A customer gets his hands on an iPhone 8 Plus on launch day in Tokyo on September 22, 2017. The launches also saw speakers that were 25% louder and the most powerful and smartest chip in a smartphone (according to Apple). AFP -
The iPhone X marked a decade of iPhones on September 12, 2017. It's main changes were an edge-to-edge super retina screen. Touch ID was removed with Face ID introduced. Reuters -
The iPhone XS was released on September 21, 2018 and had a Super Retina OLED screen with improved scratch and water resistance. Face ID was faster. Reuters -
The iPhone XS Max had the largest iPhone screen to date at 6.5 inches. It could handle 3 million pixels. Reuters -
The iPhone XR was slightly cheaper than the XS and came with a 6.1-inch screen. AFP -
A customer looks at the iPhone 11 at an Apple store in Dubai Mall on September 20, 2019. EPA -
A man tries out the iPhone 11 Pro in Cupertino, California, on September 10, 2019. AFP -
Midnight Green was introduced for the iPhone 11 Pro Max, while there was also a new three-camera system. Reuters -
Arriving on April 15, 2020, the iPhone SE was for budget-minded customers and was pretty much a replica of the iPhone 8. Its 4.7-inch screen felt rather on the small side compared to the big screens of its big brothers. Apple Inc. / AFP -
The iPhone 12 on October 13, 2020 introduced a new processor and a screen that offered four times better protection if dropped. Apple / AFP -
The iPhone 12 mini offered a 5.4-inch screen. Getty Images -
Mr Cook showcases the iPhone 12 Pro during an event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on October 13, 2020. This upgrade saw a faster chip, 5G speed, a "camera system that’s killer in low light. A LiDAR Scanner for more realistic AR. And two great sizes to choose from — including our largest display ever". Apple / EPA -
The iPhone 12 Pro Max was categorised as a 'legacy phone'. Reuters -
The new iPhone 13 was unveiled on September 14, 2021. It has a smart data mode which helps battery life, more 5G bands and antenna lines that use material made from recycled plastic water bottles. AFP -
Apple CEO Tim Cook showcasing the third generation iPhone SE featuring 5G and the A15 Bionic chip on March 8, 2022. EPA -
The Apple iPhone 14, 14 Plus, Pro Max and the Apple iPhone 14 Pro were unveiled during an event on September 7, 2022. It didn’t raise its US prices during one of the worst years for inflation in decades. The biggest addition was emergency calling after a car crash. Bloomberg
“Like every year, the tech industry will focus on the new products' specs and pricing,” Loup Ventures’ managing partner Gene Munster and analyst David Stokman said.
“Customers, on the other hand, will elevate to a higher view – that is, the reality that they increasingly depend on Apple’s integrated family of products, services and support to equip for work and learn from anywhere. Addressing that consumer need will benefit demand for the next one to two years."
Apple is expected to launch three smartphones at the ‘California Streaming’ event on Tuesday under its latest iPhone 13 series – iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. The iPhone 13 and the iPhone 13 Pro will have a screen size of 15.5 centimetres, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max will come with a 17cm display, industry insiders said.
“From a spec standpoint, we expect little change this year … [however,] the devices will include updated camera resolutions and new filters,” Loup Ventures wrote in an investors’ note to clients.
“As for the rumoured satellite feature, it will likely be used for emergencies to tap into first-responder networks."
The new smartwatch, called Apple Watch 7, is not expected to receive a major software update, but will see some hardware changes. It is expected to come with flatter edges and larger displays of 41 millimetres and 44mm, nearly 1mm more than the Apple Watch 6 variants.
The Minnesota company expects the first design change in three years in Apple Watch to bring a “slimmer profile and a fractional increase in the display”.
It is expected to account for 5 per cent of sales next year, growing at 15 per cent a year.
“We believe 13 per cent of the iPhone base has a watch and that this percentage will increase to 35 per cent plus in the years to come as more biomarkers are adding in the next couple of years, including blood pressure and working with third-party blood glucose monitoring applications,” Mr Munster and Mr Stokman said.
The Cupertino-based company is also expected to launch new AirPods today. Loup Ventures expects entry-level AirPods to add noise cancellation.
“We expect price to be unchanged at $159. AirPods is about 4 per cent of overall revenue … and expected to grow at 18 per cent next year,” it said.
How to watch Apple's event today?
Apple’s event will start at 9pm UAE time. Viewers can tune in through apple.com
You can also watch the event on YouTube and through the Apple TV application on your iPhone, iPad and Mac.
