The iPhone 17 might be unveiled subsequent week. Here are the three issues buyers ought to look ahead to.

By Christine Ji

A brand new, slimmer iPhone Air might be the primary occasion, however Wall Street can also be waiting for clues to pricing within the risky China market and to the corporate’s broader AI technique

As tariff issues ease, buyers are questioning if new iPhones could be a catalyst for Apple’s inventory.

Apple Inc.’s inventory has carried out effectively within the final month, rising 14%, though it is nonetheless within the pink on the 12 months. Whether the current optimistic momentum can preserve going will rely upon the iPhone maker’s product-launch occasion subsequent week.

On Sept. 9, Apple (AAPL) is predicted to unveil its new iPhone 17 lineup at its “Awe Dropping” occasion. The firm might want to proceed impressing buyers with a brand new product cycle and present that it is not to this point behind the curve in the case of artificial-intelligence innovation.

It’s a possible clearing occasion for the iPhone maker, whose inventory has been tormented by investor doubts about its tariff-exposed world provide chain and lack of a transparent AI imaginative and prescient. Here are the three issues that Wall Street might be keeping track of subsequent week.

New merchandise

The most vital change to the lineup this 12 months might be the introduction of a brand new mannequin. The upcoming occasion is predicted to deliver the debut of the iPhone Air, a slimmer model of the normal iPhone.

The new design might be a catalyst for Apple, some on Wall Street imagine. In a notice Tuesday, Evercore analyst Amit Daryanani referred to as the Air the “most notable design change to the iPhone that Apple has done in recent years” and mentioned he believes it might mark the start of “a multi-year road map of notable design changes.”

J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee believes the iPhone Air might be a key supply of upside for Apple’s inventory, because the mannequin might attraction to a broader demographic and assist the iPhone maker’s enterprise in China. The slimmer iPhone’s cheaper worth level might make the product extra interesting within the Chinese market, the place Apple is going through rising competitors from home rivals. While Chatterjee notes that preliminary supply-chain orders for the iPhone Air are for an estimated 10 million to fifteen million items, there “remains room for surprises from better consumer reception.”

Daryanani believes Apple will not cease with design adjustments after the Air and will come out with a foldable iPhone as early as subsequent 12 months. That could be a key transfer for the corporate, which has lagged Android rivals within the foldable-phone area.

Tariff impacts and China

Tariffs have been a serious supply of concern for the iPhone maker earlier this 12 months, and Wall Street might be watching Apple’s costs to see the extent of the trade-war impacts.

With tariff issues mitigated, Apple is beneath much less strain to lift costs to guard its margins.

Now Apple might do the alternative and decrease costs to spice up gross sales in China, the place smartphones beneath 6,000 yuan (CNYUSD), or about $840, qualify for a 15% subsidy, based on J.P. Morgan. The subsidy is supposed to bolster consumption within the Chinese market and preserve midrange units aggressive.

Chatterjee expects the iPhone Air to be priced within the $899 to $949 vary, however a transfer nearer to the $800 mark might unlock vital demand and supply a significant upside for gross sales within the area.

However, Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan wrote in a notice from final week that he expects the iPhone Air to be priced $100 larger than the earlier iPhone Plus mannequin, bringing it nearer to $1,000.

The deal with pricing comes as current information spotlight the volatility of the Chinese market. According to UBS analyst David Vogt, Apple’s sell-through market share – which tracks gross sales on to customers -dropped to 12.1% in July from 18.4% in May. Vogt attributes the sharp decline to the top of “heavy smartphone promotional activity.”

Apple Intelligence

Apple’s AI technique has been beneath scrutiny from buyers, as earlier bulletins about its Apple Intelligence options have did not impress.

While main AI software program upgrades aren’t anticipated at subsequent week’s occasion – Chatterjee expects the brand new telephones to “be supported by incremental AI features through the year” – buyers might be listening for any hints about Apple’s future plans, particularly given experiences that the corporate has been in talks to associate with Alphabet Inc.’s (GOOGL) (GOOG) Gemini and, based on The Information, has held inside discussions to amass AI startups resembling Perplexity or Mistral.

“Further examples of AI integration and enhancements, including better integration with Apps and Siri,” might transfer the needle for Apple’s AI technique, based on Mohan.

Also learn: Apple has an AI drawback – and a Google partnership might really make issues worse

-Christine Ji

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  09-02-25 1206ET
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