Potential Issues Loom for the iPhone 16

By Maggie Last updated Jan 31, 2024

The iPhone 16 is expected to be released in September, but concerns are already over, according to a recent report from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Ming-Chi Kuo reported on January 30 that the upcoming iPhone 16 series may encounter problems.

Apple has reduced iPhone shipments to 200 million units for 2024, including the current iPhone 15 series and the upcoming iPhone 16, according to Ming-Chi Kuo. While this still represents a large number of iPhones, it represents a 15% year-over-year decline compared to 2023. Kuo stated that Apple may face the biggest decline in mobile phones worldwide in 2024.

The decline in iPhone shipments is what Kuo calls “competitive models”; This includes the emergence of a new model in the production of high-end phones and the ongoing decline in shipments in the Chinese market. The new paradigm that Guo highlights is the growing popularity of wearable phones and artificial intelligence devices.

Major players such as Samsung, OnePlus, Google, and Motorola have achieved significant success in the foldable field. Elsewhere, Google has talked about the AI capabilities of its Pixel phones, while Samsung is investing heavily in AI with the Galaxy S24 featuring its new Galaxy AI platform. Samsung’s strategy seems to be working. Kuo stated that Samsung increased its 2024 Galaxy S24 series shipments from 5% to 10%, while Apple revised its iPhone 15 shipment forecasts for the first half of 2024.

The decline is due to Huawei’s comeback in the Chinese market and high-end users choosing foldable phones as their first phone choice.

Apart from the challenges, there are also rumors that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro may only bring more upgrades compared to previous models. Although there are speculations about improving camera features and minor updates, 2024 is expected to be a quiet year for iPhones, especially compared to its competitors.

Kuo supports this view in his report and suggests that Apple will not launch new iPhone models with significant changes and features in the GenAI ecosystem in early 2025. This delay may affect Apple’s iPhone delivery schedule and ecosystem development.

While Apple still expects to sell more iPhones in 2024, the iPhone 16 series will face challenges in a market where consumers are interested in phones with new features such as folding and intellectual capabilities. If the iPhone 16 doesn’t meet these changing preferences, it could have a real impact on Apple’s position in the smartphone market.